Toyota’s first electric car lands in NZ, and it’s not what you think

Much has been made about Toyota’s pathway to electric vehicle adoption. The Japanese marque is set to launch its first fully electric vehicle Down Under, the bZ4X, in early 2024, with a swathe of other EVs set to hit showrooms by 2025.

But while the launch of the bZ4X might be six or so months away, another fully electric Toyota has quietly landed in the country. Toyota New Zealand has confirmed that it is evaluating the C+pod EV – a compact fully electric two-seater – for wider adoption around the country as part of its Mobility Project.

The first C+pod was spotted and photographed by electric vehicle website EVs&Beyond. In a brief statement to Stuff, a Toyota New Zealand spokesperson confirmed that the diminutive EV was under evaluation.

“At this stage we have brought [the C+pod] in to trial,” said the spokesperson. “And we will share more information on its purpose when we are able to.”

The C+pod is the second out-of-the-box Japanese EV to be confirmed for local evaluation in as many months, following Mitsubishi New Zealand’s announcement at Fieldays that it is considering offering the ek X EV electric kei car to Kiwis wanting an affordable EV.

Under its tiny, narrow body sits a 9kW electric motor paired to a 9.1kWh battery pack and rear-wheel drive. The combination enables the Toyota to travel 150km to a charge on the WLTC cycle, with the EV’s top speed rated at 60kph.

In terms of its dimensions, the C+pod measures 2490mm in length, 1290mm wide, and 1550mm tall with a 1780mm wheelbase. In other words, you can comfortably fit a C+pod within a Toyota RAV4’s wheelbase, and it is 445mm narrower than a Mazda MX-5.

It is also considerably smaller than the aforementioned Mitsubishi ek X EV, which measures in at 3,395mm long, 1,475mm wide, and 1656mm tall with a 2,495mm wheelbase.

Launched in December 2020, Toyota listed the C+pod’s target market as “corporate users, local governments and other organizations that have been exploring new options to drive the popularization of BEVs”.

At launch, the C+pod was priced at 1,650,000 Japanese yen for the base Grade X trim, and 1,716,000 Japanese yen for the top-spec Grade G trim – or approximately $18,000–$20,000 in New Zealand Dollars.

Admittedly, the C+pod is unlikely to be targeted solely at those seeking car ownership. The small EV could also lead a pure electric car-sharing programme targeting high-density urban areas.

Toyota New Zealand has several runs on the board when it comes to car-sharing projects.

Previously, the firm launched Waka Aronui in conjunction with the Ākina Foundation, and the Toyota Hydrogen Project Car Share Scheme. Toyota New Zealand also owns car-sharing business City Hop, acquiring the company in 2018.

Toyota New Zealand CEO Neeraj Lala teased in March that the brand was preparing to make “quite a significant” announcement regarding plans to create a connected mobility ecosystem. The group’s 2022 Sustainability Report underlined its interest in car sharing and new mobility.

“Our vision is to provide multiple forms of powertrains, multiple modes of transport, integrated autonomous driving networks, and mobility solutions that would support both innovative ownership and user solutions that directly support a just transition to our net-zero carbon goals,” said the report.

“It means a future where widespread private car ownership may no longer be normal, car usage is affordable and accessible for all, and all vehicles are low or net-zero carbon emissions, while ensuring both people and vehicles remain safe. Mobility in these terms means more flexible and accessible ownership and a range of leasing, rental, or usage solutions.”