Toyota’s egg-shaped minivan, the Previa, is formally going electrical. It will likely be revived as the primary all-electric Toyota minivan. Will the funky-looking minivan discover success as an EV?
When will Toyota launch its first electrical minivan?
Though Toyota launched Japan’s first “electrified,” or PHEV fashions lower than two weeks in the past, we’re already studying {that a} absolutely electrical minivan is coming.
Toyota launched the Alphard and Vellfire PHEV minivans on December 20, providing each gasoline and hybrid powertrains. The brand new PHEV system supplies as much as 45 miles (73 km) of all-electric driving vary, whereas the inside options “the quietness of a BEV.” In the meantime, Toyota has larger plans to enter the electrical minivan market.
In line with a latest report from Japan’s main auto journal, Finest Automobile (by way of Forbes), the Toyota Previa shall be revived in 2026.
Recognized for its egg-shaped design, the Toyota Previa was bought within the US and abroad markets within the early Nineties. Nonetheless, on account of stiff competitors from the Chrysler City and Nation, Dodge Caravan, and others, the Previa was discontinued in 1997. In its last gross sales 12 months, solely 3,780 models have been bought, in comparison with a peak of round 52,000 in 1991.
The Previa was changed by the Sienna, which has a way more toned-down design and remains to be bought primarily within the North American market.
Though Toyota was anticipated to make use of the e-TNGA platform, which underpins the bZ4X electrical SUV, a Toyota insider stated the Previa EV will use the GA-Ok platform, at the moment used for the Crown, Camry, and RAV-4 fashions.
It will likely be accessible in each electrical (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) choices. Like its predecessor, the electrical minivan is predicted to function an identical egg-like design for aerodynamics.
The revived Previa was initially developed as a hydrogen gas cell car (FCEV), however Toyota modified its plans on account of a scarcity of demand and charging. The FCEV mannequin was previewed because the “Superb-Consolation Trip” Idea (proven above) in 2017.
Electrek’s Take
An all-electric Toyota minivan may assist the Japanese auto large lastly acquire traction within the EV market. Gross sales of its first electrical mannequin, the bZ4X, have been slower than anticipated on account of an early recall and an inflow of mid-size electrical SUVs, many occasions with extra vary and options.
Toyota is understood for its hybrids, just like the Prius, so it’s no shock that it’ll provide a PHEV model. Nonetheless, and not using a devoted EV platform, the electrical Previa may undergo the identical destiny because the bZ4X, with much less vary and choices.
Rivals like Hyundai are additionally launching their first electrical minivans quickly. Hyundai is getting ready to start manufacturing of its Staria Electrical minivan subsequent 12 months. It’s anticipated to launch in Korea subsequent 12 months, adopted by Europe within the first half of 2026. European-made fashions shall be imported to locations like Australia and Thailand, two key abroad markets for Toyota.
Not too long ago, reviews surfaced that Toyota is dropping the bZ4X (bZ) naming system, so an electrical Previa minivan may make sense.
Toyota has teased different EV revivals, together with electrical Land Cruiser and Supra fashions. It additionally simply launched the City Cruiser electrical SUV in Europe. Verify again quickly for more information on Toyota’s first electrical minivan.
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