To support the launch of the all-electric bZ4x SUV late this year, Toyota dealers across Australia will invest more than $20 million in charging facilities to support sales and service of EV customers.
Installation of the first stage of the dealership charging network, involving 232 sites, is underway and will be completed well ahead of the arrival of the bZ4X.
Toyota Australia sales, marketing, and franchise operations vice president Sean Hanley says the move by dealers to invest in charging was recognition that facilities – and not just vehicles – had to continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of customers.
An initial investment of at least $5 million was planned to reach around $20 million as dealers installed more chargers and expanded coverage to further sites as demand grows.
“Our dealers will have a mix of AC and fast-charging DC outlets in prime metropolitan and regional sites as well as smaller locations across the country, ensuring they deliver the best possible customer experience for Toyota EV owners,” he says.
Toyota Australia plans to launch at least three EVs in three years, starting with the bZ4X SUV.
The company says electrified vehicles – including hybrid-electric and other technologies – would account for more than half its sales in 2025.
Last year, customers bought 72,815 Toyota hybrid-electric vehicles, representing 31.5% of the 231,050 new Toyota vehicles delivered to customers.
Hanley says the company is determined to be part of the solution in combating climate change.
He says Toyota Australia would progressively introduce additional EVs as well as other electrified vehicles to continue providing customers with affordable ways to reduce emissions – even before they can buy a zero-emissions vehicle.
“Toyota is committed to bringing electric vehicles to Australia,” Hanley says. “We know they will play an ever-increasing role in helping us – and our customers – get to net-zero carbon emissions.
“We also know it will take many years for the significant challenges facing EVs to be overcome, including battery-material shortages, less-than-adequate charging infrastructure and the ability to meet customer requirements such as towing.
“That’s why it’s just too early – and too risky for the environment and for our customers – to put all our eggs in the electric-vehicle basket.
“Toyota will therefore maintain our strategy of deploying as many technologies as possible -battery EVs where they are most appropriate and other electrified powertrains where that makes the best use of scarce battery cells,” he says.
Hanley says that, by 2030, Toyota globally planned to release 30 new EVs and lift EV sales to 3.5 million a year, investing 8 trillion yen (A$87 billion) in the shift to zero-carbon vehicles over that period.
He says Toyota would continue to evaluate EVs for the Australian market as they are made available, including one based on the bZ Compact SUV Concept revealed in November.
“During the same timeframe for Australia, we are committed to offering an electrified version of every model in our range, excluding performance cars.
“Whether the technology is battery-electric, hybrid, fuel-cell, or some yet-to-be-discovered technology, Toyota is committed to making every effort to offer better mobility solutions for the people of Australia and the world,” he says.
