Toyota shows second EV prototype, touting itself as a leader in electrification with beyond zero EV sales
At the LA Auto Show, Toyota revealed its bZ Compact SUV Concept, the second fully electric vehicle from the bZ (Beyond Zero) lineup. Despite Toyota claiming “Beyond Zero,” the automaker has little to show in terms of zero-emission EV sales.
After hyping the debut of its fifth-generation hybrid Prius, Toyota is giving us a look at what could be its next pure electric model.
Although Toyota has been a leader in hybrid technology for over 20 years, the automaker has struggled to shift to pure electric models. Toyota released its first pure EV, the bZ4X, earlier this year, and unfortunately, the rollout has been disappointing.
The automaker recalled all EV models sold over concerns that the “wheel can detach from the vehicle.” Since then, Toyota has lightened up somewhat to the idea of fully electric vehicles.
At the end of August, Toyota said it would commit an additional $2.5 billion toward its NC EV battery plant, which would:
Serve a central role in Toyota’s leadership toward a fully electrified future and will help us meet our goal of carbon neutrality in our vehicles and global operations by 2035.
And then, more recently, reports surfaced that Toyota is “considering a reboot of its electric-car strategy to better compete in a booming market,” even though company executives have continuously denounced going all in on electric vehicles.
To date, Toyota has sold a total of 232 fully electric vehicles despite calling itself a “leader in electrification.” Hopefully, Toyota’s second EV and recent initiatives can help give life to the automaker’s zero-emission strategy.
Toyota debuts bZ Compact SUV, its second EV
The bZ compact SUV is designed from the ground up in what Toyota refers to as “a clean-vital design approach.”
Toyota claims its new approach “aims to express what’s special about battery electric vehicles while also offering fun to dive, exhilarating performance.”
Although the automaker isn’t releasing specs yet, it does say its second EV “represents a vehicle with zero emissions, utilizing eco-conscious interior materials, that also brings dynamic performance, leading technology and a stylish appearance.”
Toyota says it went for a “futuristic look” with an aggressive wheel stance, short overhangs, and sweepback angles. The bZ compact SUV includes several eco-friendly features, such as using plant-based and recycled materials for seating as part of its “Beyond Zero” theme.
With a focus on connectivity, Toyota includes an “in-car agent” named “Yui” that connects passengers with the vehicle.
The new EV is part of Toyota’s strategy to release 30 battery electric vehicles by 2030 while accelerating it toward its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Electrek’s Take
It’s good to see the world’s largest automaker digging deeper into electric vehicles. At the same time, it’s just a concept vehicle, so we don’t know when or if it will come to market.
Will it be too little too late for Toyota? The company is clearly still focused on hybrid technology, if you have yet to notice, as it releases its fifth generation Prius.
On the one hand, Toyota’s new Prius is an upgrade from previous models with a usable range (36 electric miles), so the company is heading in the right direction. However, when it comes to fully electric, Toyota still needs to catch up.
Instead of wasting time and resources on inferior technology like hydrogen fuel cells, Toyota should double down and invest in a mass-market EV. Will the bZ compact SUV be that vehicle? Time will tell.
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A dozen Tesla vehicles burned at a store in Toulouse, France. Arson is suspected amid global protests and vandalism attacks against Tesla and Elon Musk.
Last night, a dozen Tesla vehicles burned down at Tesla’s retail and service location in Plaisance-du-Touch near Toulouse, France.
Firefighters arrived on the scene at around 4 a.m. and contained the fire to the vehicles. Eight of them were completely destroyed, and four were greatly damaged. The damages are estimated at over 700,000 euros.
According to the local news (translated from French), the police suspected arson as a hole was found in a fence, and threats had been made over the last few weeks. The Tesla location remained closed all day.
Tesla is currently being protested by anti-fascist groups around the world, especially in the US, where many are targeting Tesla to protest against Elon Musk’s involvement in the US government.
In France, there were a few protests planned, but some extremist groups are calling for widespread arson against Tesla stores:
I won’t share the link to the article since it gives step-by-step instructions on how to burn down Tesla stores without getting caught, but the manifesto explains that they are going after Tesla as a “symbol of capitalism,” although they also list a dozen other reasons including the fact that they think it’s “doable and cheap.”
Electrek’s Take
This is getting nuts. It’s not only dangerous, but it’s also not super effective in achieving the goal they claim to want to achieve.
Have they never heard of insurance? Tesla is having issues selling cars right now. You are burning unsold inventory that they can then claim to their insurance.
Sure, it disrupts their operations for a short period of time, but it’s not worth it.
Their manifesto does say to avoid violence and not to target vehicles owned by individuals – though it doesn’t sound like a strict rule for them, but I think these people are likely going to end up in jail for having achieved nothing.
The protests and boycotts are going strong. You don’t need to burn cars to make yourself heard.
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Environment
Ford F-150 Lightning sales have been falling for months: What’s going on with the EV pickup?
Is Ford’s electric pickup in trouble? Sales have been down for months, and February showed no relief. What’s going on with the Ford F-150 Lightning?
Ford F-150 Lightning sales drop again in February 2025
Ford’s US sales dropped by 9% last month. Although electrified vehicles, including EVs and hybrids, both notched double-digit growth, sales of Ford’s gas-powered (ICE) models, which accounted for over 85% of deliveries, fell nearly 13%.
Hybrids saw higher demand with sales up 27.5% to 15,357, while EV sales increased 15% to 7,326. The Mustang Mach-E was a bright spot with 3,312 models sold in February, up 13% from the prior year.
With 6,841 Mach-Es sold through the first three months of 2025, Ford’s electric crossover SUV remains a top-selling EV in the US.
Ford’s electric pickup didn’t fare as well. F-150 Lightning Sales were down nearly 15% last month with only 2,199 units sold. Through March, Ford has sold 15% fewer Lightning models than it did at this time last year.
Sales of the electric pickup have been slipping for months now. In the final three months of 2024, F-150 Lightning sales were down 10%.
The Lightning, alongside Rivian’s R1T, are no longer the only electric pickups on the market. Ford is facing new competition with the Tesla Cybertruck, Chevy Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV, arriving.
According to Cox Automotive, the Tesla Cybertruck slipped past the Lightning to become the fifth best-selling EV in the US last year with nearly 39,000 units sold. Ford’s Lightning was sixth with just over 33,500 models sold.
Ford extended its “Power Promise” promo earlier this year to boost demand, giving EV buyers a Level 2 home charger and other benefits, but Lightning sales are still down.
The American automaker cut Lightning production at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center last year, citing slower-than-expected demand. A new report from Automotive News claims Ford is now ending a pilot program to stock and distribute EVs through regional hubs after it failed to catch on. It was designed to speed up deliveries.
Although Ford plans to launch a smaller midsize electric pickup, it won’t arrive until at least two more years. With new competition, like the Ram 1500 REV and Volkswagen Scout pickup, hitting the market over the next few years, Ford may find it even harder to attract buyers.
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Costco’s Auto Program recently introduced some new member-only incentives, and the 2025 Volvo EX90 BEV is now on its list.
Volvo is offering Costco Executive Members $2,000 off the 2025 EX90. Costco Gold Star and Business members are eligible for $1,500 off. The incentives are available on all versions of the Volvo EX90 for members who purchase or lease from February 24 to April 30, 2025. It’s the only non-GM EV that’s that’s eligible for an incentive through the EV program.
The offer is compatible with A-Plan pricing for employees, as well as Affinity Pricing for teachers and first responders. Costco members will have had to have been members as of February 23 and be the primary members on the Costco account to qualify.
However, CarsDirect gave the heads up on how buyers can get up to $10,000 off the EX90’s MSRP. As we stated, if you’re a Costco Executive Member, that’s $2,000 off. Then, add the $7,500 EV Lease Allowance and a $500 loyalty discount on leases if you currently own or lease a Volvo or have owned or leased a Volvo within the past six months.
With the destination fee included, the base EX90 MSRP starts at $81,290, so that brings it down to $71,290, a more than 12% discount, a pretty good deal.
The 2025 AWD Volvo EX90, which can seat seven passengers comfortably, has a range of up to 310 miles and is NACS-compatible. It has a 510 hp engine, 110 kWh battery capacity, and can go from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
Read more: Review: Volvo EX90 is a smooth AWD 7-seat luxury kid-hauler
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