Toyota Electric FJ Cruiser Revival, compact electric pickup among the new EV concepts
Among the dozen of EV concepts that Toyota unveiled on Tuesday were two that emphasized ruggedness and off-road capabilities. The Compact Cruiser EV and the Toyota Pickup EV preview two options for the 30 electric models Toyota plans to bring to market by 2030.
Among the 15 concepts shown on Tuesday – most of them ready for series production, according to Toyota – these two trucks are likely to evoke nostalgia and excitement among U.S. Toyota truck fans.
The Compact Cruiser EV is an electric SUV with a design reminiscent of the Toyota FJ Cruiser, a cult classic off-road model from the early 2000s that is intended as a revival of the classic FJ40 series Toyota Land Cruiser.
The overall shape of the Compact Cruiser EV is pretty similar to that of the FJ Cruiser, but this concept eschews the FJ’s round headlights and carries four conventional doors for added practicality. As the name suggests, the Compact Cruiser EV really looks, well, compact. That should make maneuvering on off-road trails easier than the old FJ Cruiser.
Toyota Pickup EV
The design of the Toyota Pickup EV concept is reminiscent of the current Toyota Tacoma Midsize Truck and also seems to come pretty close to this model in size. Toyota hasn’t revealed any details about the powertrain of the Pickup EV or Compact Cruiser EV concept, so all we have to do now is look at the styling.
An electric pickup in particular seems to be a useful addition to the Toyota range. Toyota likely saw the passion behind the Rivian R1T and R1S, the GMC Hummer EV, the Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Tesla Cybertruck and might want to get a piece of it.
Toyota has also taken small steps towards electrified SUVs.
2022 Toyota Tundra
It has already set a major precedent with the RAV4 Prime, which is actually better in some off-road situations in EV mode with the gas engine switched off.
Toyota unveiled its first hybrid truck earlier this year, but not in the way many Toyota customers would have expected. It’s a take on the full-size Tundra pickup that seems to emphasize power and towability over mpg.
Toyota plans to manufacture hybrid batteries in the US, and this may “pave the way” for US-made electric vehicles later in the decade. Could these models be trucks?