Toyota Readies Tiny EV and Scooters

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to launch a tiny electric city car late next year in Japan.

Measuring 98 inches long, the ultra-compact two-seater has an estimated driving range of 100 km (62 miles) and a top speed of about 60 kpm (37 mph). Toyota says the car can be fully recharged in five hours from a 220-volt outlet.

A production-ready model (above) will be publicly unveiled at this month’s Tokyo auto show. As part of the exhibit, Toyota will offer test rides in several other concept electric devices.

Toyota envisions the car being used by newly licensed drivers, intra-city salespeople and the elderly. Earlier this year, the carmaker showed a boxier, single seat concept version (right) of the vehicle that was designed to be a mobile office.

In addition to the city car, Toyota plans next year to introduce an electric scooter for standing riders. This will be followed in 2021 by a e-scooter with a seat and an electric attachment for manual wheelchairs.

Toyota say it is talking with more than 100 corporate and government partners on potential applications. The company also is evaluating various business models for the EVs, including reusing and/or recycling batteries.