A Nikkei Asia report shared that Toyota could begin producing range-extended electric vehicles in China as early as next year. Currently, the Japanese carmaker has no REEVs (also known as EREVs or extended-range electric vehicles) in its lineup, nor does it have a dedicated platform for this particular powertrain.
While the Toyota RAV4 offers a plug-in hybrid option in select markets, REEVs work a tad differently. Usually, smaller engines are preferred, as they only serve as generators for the EV battery. The size of the batteries is comparable to those in smaller BEVs or fully electric vehicles.
This is the same formula typically used on long-range electrified models in China. Along with tapping an emerging segment in that market, REEVs could be more profitable for Toyota, according to the report.
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While Toyota has yet to make any official announcement, there already seems to be a formed plan for the next two years. According to Nikkei Asia, 200,000 extended-range units will be produced in 2027, and the Japanese carmaker will aim to ramp up production to 400,000 units by 2028.
The report, however, did not mention which of Toyota’s Chinese partners will be leading this new venture. For the uninitiated, Toyota has existing partnerships with Chinese carmakers FAW and GAC. Together, they produce the bZ3 and the bZ7, respectively, along with other domestic models for the local market.
It is also unclear if existing nameplates will adopt these range-extended powertrains, or if Toyota will spawn entirely new models. While we wait for Toyota’s official confirmation, we’ll pass this question on to you: Would you want to see something like a range-extended Corolla Cross? The comment section is yours.
