Toyota was a pioneer in the hybrid space with its Prius and today petrol-electric vehicles make up around one third of its global sales.
Given that fully electric models accounted for less than one percent of its volumes in 2023, it’s no surprise that the Japanese manufacturer will continue to embrace hybrid tech as a bridge to its goal of being fully carbon neutral by 2050.
But instead of resting on the laurels of its own successful hybrid technology, the latest reports out of Japan indicate that Toyota is extending its collaboration with the world’s biggest electric vehicle maker.
According to Japanese publication Best Car, Toyota is planning to use BYD’s hybrid battery technology in some of its future models, including the next-generation Corolla that’s said to be due in 2026.
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The report states that Toyota wants to introduce a plug-in hybrid version that matches the 2,100km advertised driving range of the latest BYD Qin and Seal PHEV models, when they have a full battery charge and petrol tank.
That’s enough range to get you from Johannesburg to Cape Town and halfway back, or almost two round trips from Joburg to Durban.
The two companies have already collaborated, with Toyota’s Chinese-market bZ3 electric sedan using BYD’s Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
The next-generation Corolla will likely pair BYD’s batteries with Toyota’s new-generation petrol engines, which are lighter and more fuel efficient than the current four-cylinder series, Drive reports. The newly announced engine range will be available in 1.5-litre normally aspirated and turbocharged and 2.0-litre turbo guises.
While the specifications for these rumoured Toyota plug-in hybrids are far from confirmed, it’s worth noting that the aforementioned BYD hybrid vehicles are offered with 10.1 kWh and 15.8 kWh battery packs, with electric motors producing between 120kW and 160kW, excluding the petrol component.
This means they could certainly accommodate high-performance GR models.
While some exciting technology appears to be on the cards for the future plug-in hybrid Corollas, conventional hybrids using Toyota’s older technology will almost certainly soldier on for more budget-conscious buyers.
This strategy, for instance, has allowed Toyota South Africa to popularise hybrid technology on the local market with its Corolla Cross Hybrid.
IOL Motoring