Toyota presents first electric vehicle since the RAV4 EV in 2014

The Toyota bZ4X SUV Battery-Electric Vehicle is shown in this photo released by Toyota. The company announced the battery-powered bZ4X compact SUV on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, with a starting price of $42,000 and a range of 252 miles (406 kilometers) per charge. The bZ4X, which will be available worldwide, joins the 38 electric car types now on the market in the United States, with over 120 planned by 2025. Image Credit: Toyota /Ap.

Toyota, the top-selling automaker in the United States, is presenting its first fully electric vehicle in eight years.

The company revealed the bZ4X small SUV on Tuesday, which starts at $42,000 and has a range of 252 miles (406 kilometers) per charge.

The bZ4X, which will be available worldwide, joins the 38 electric car models now on the market in the United States, with over 120 expected before 2025.

The bZ4X is an important entry because it's from a trusted brand that will persuade some buyers to switch from internal combustion engines, according to Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst for S&P Global Mobility. While it doesn't have a ground-breaking range or performance for an electric vehicle, it's an important entry because it's from a trusted brand that will persuade some buyers to switch from internal combustion engines, said Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst for S&P Global Mobility

"You've got buyers who want to look at it but aren't willing to attempt a new brand or leave (Toyota) to go to Chevrolet or Ford," Brinley explained. "As we move toward a market dominated by electric vehicles, the challenge will be persuading ICE (internal combustion engine) owners to try something different."

The Toyota bZ4X SUV Battery-Electric Vehicle is shown in this photo released by Toyota. The company announced the battery-powered bZ4X compact SUV on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, with a starting price of $42,000 and a range of 252 miles (406 kilometers) per charge. The bZ4X, which will be available worldwide, joins the 38 electric car types now on the market in the United States, with over 120 planned by 2025. Image Credit: Toyota/Ap

The bZ4X matches the Toyota RAV4, which is the best-selling non-pickup truck in the United States and is somewhat longer, lower, and wider. It's Toyota's first electric vehicle since the RAV4 electric model was discontinued in 2014.

When compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, it is fast, as are most electric vehicles. According to Toyota, the all-wheel-drive version can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in as little as 6.5 seconds.

According to Toyota, sales will begin in states with zero-emission car mandates and subsequently spread throughout the United States. The bZ4X will be on exhibit at the New York International Auto Show, which kicks off this week with press days. The exhibition is open to the public from April 15 through April 24.

By 2025, Toyota says it will sell 15 electric vehicles, seven of which will be under the bZ brand, which stands for "Beyond Zero."

Once the bZ4X reaches showrooms in May, owners will likely have to act quickly to qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit that will make it more reasonable. The manufacturer anticipates reaching a 200,000-vehicle ceiling on the credits before the end of June.

The credits will be phased away over the following year after it reaches the cap, as Tesla and General Motors have previously done.

Toyota mostly reached the cap by selling plug-in gas-electric hybrid vehicles like the RAV4 Prime, which can travel 42 miles on electricity before transitioning to a hybrid system with an internal combustion engine.

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