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A coalition of 54 consumer and environmental groups from 26 countries have written a letter to Toyota asking that the company phase-out fossil fuels globally by 2035, and in Europe by 2030. The letter is timed to coincide with the start of new CEO Koji Sato’s tenure at the company on April 1.

Toyota occupies a commanding role in global auto manufacturing. It is not only the largest company in Japan by a longshot, but also often the world’s number-one automaker (sometimes swapping this title with VW). As a result, the company’s actions can set the tone for the auto industry.

It also carries the respect of manufacturing companies outside of the auto industry, with its famous “kaizen” production methods. Kaizen’s focus on efficiency has influenced manufacturing worldwide – somewhat to its recent detriment, as just-in-time production proved disastrous during COVID-19 supply chain disruptions.

But under CEO Akio Toyoda, Toyota has lagged significantly on electric cars. The company has taken a long time to bring any EV to market, and its first full EV, the bZ4X, didn’t have the best launch. While those kinks have now been worked out after a lengthy recall, the company still sells EVs in very low volume in a world where EVs are becoming more and more front and center in virtually every automaker’s lineup.

Beyond that, and even worse, Toyota has actively worked against electric cars over the last decade. The company has repeatedly spread EV misinformation, including in advertisements and in Japanese schools. It was named one of the most obstructive entities on Earth regarding climate policy, it refused to join international agreements for EV adoption (even though that agreement’s 2040 goal was weak to begin with), and it has joined with anti-environment forces in trying to stop clean air legislation.

As a leader in Japanese industry, Toyota’s (and the rest of the Japanese auto industry’s) intransigence on EVs has led some to warn that Japan’s economy could decline significantly if it doesn’t shape up.

But all of this happened under Akio Toyoda. And Toyota’s inability – or, perhaps more accurately, lack of desire – to adapt to the EV landscape seems to have been a factor in his stepping down. Toyoda seemed to acknowledge that he was unable to lead the company through the level of change needed to adapt for the future, stating:

To advance change at Toyota, I have reached the decision that it is best for me to support a new president while I become chairman.

The incoming CEO, Koji Sato, was previously brand chief at Lexus, where he led Lexus’s electrification efforts. Toyoda picked Sato for his ability to “promote change in an era in which the future is unpredictable.” He begins his tenure on April 1, and has already stated that he wants to get serious about EVs.

Open letter demands change at Toyota – drop fossils by 2035 globally, 2030 in US/EU

To coincide with the beginning of Sato’s tenure, 54 consumer and environmental groups representing millions of supporters in 26 countries have combined to ask that the new CEO, Mr. Sato, “commit to phase out all internal combustion engine vehicles in the U.S. and Europe by 2030, and globally by 2035.” The groups also demand that Toyota end its “anti-climate lobbying” immediately.

The effort was spearheaded by Public Citizen, a US-based nonprofit consumer advocacy group. Other notable signatories include the Japanese chapters of Greenpeace and the Rainforest Action Network, along with the Center for Biological Diversity, Electric Vehicle Association, GreenLatinos, Coltura, EarthJustice, and the Sierra Club. The letter lists the many other groups involved from around the world.

The letter does not mince words. While it does “ask” Toyota for these commitments, it also points out “decades of harm and deceit caused by Toyota” with respect to electric vehicle adoption, including cheating on emissions tests, which led to a record $180 million fine.

The letter points to research that fossil fuels are responsible for millions of deaths per year, accounting for one in five deaths around the globe. Personal vehicles are a primary contributor to this fossil fuel pollution, which harms human health everywhere.

While Toyota has a plan to increase electrification of its fleet, the company currently says that it plans to sell 3.5 million electric cars in 2030. This is only about a third of the company’s current yearly sales, though a huge increase from the 16,000 vehicles, or .2% of its global sales, from its last fiscal year. By comparison, all-electric competitor Tesla sold 1.3 million EVs last year. Even stodgy old GM targets 40-50% electric sales by 2030.

The letter closes by recognizing incoming CEO Sato’s actions to lead Lexus toward electrification, and recent pledges to lead the industry, but requests several specific commitments:

  • phase out internal combustion engine vehicles (including hybrids and plug-in hybrids) in the U.S. and Europe by 2030 and globally by 2035;
  • align advocacy and lobbying with the goal of phasing out internal combustion engines, and be a voice for 100% renewable energy economy-wide;
  • require 100% renewable energy use throughout your supply chains globally by 2035;
  • by 2025, sign a procurement commitment for fossil-free primary steel with a steel producer and additionally commit to source 100% fossil-free steel by 2050;
  • require responsible sourcing of your battery minerals, and develop battery design that allows for easy reuse and recycling of minerals;
  • establish a clear commitment to Indigenous Peoples’ right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent, which should be extended to your suppliers.

Electrek’s Take

As I’ve said many times with respect to EV timelines: “Why not sooner?” But this time, this letter’s timeline is one I can actually agree with.

While many regions are looking to put requirements in place for full electrification by 2035, I don’t think this is early enough. Several automakers agree, and are planning to go full electric well before 2035. Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Bentley, Cadillac, Mercedes, Mini, Rolls-Royce, and Volvo have all committed to 2030, so it’s not like this timeline is impossible.

Oh, and of course, there’s one more brand with an all-electric 2030 target: Lexus. Which made the announcement while it was being led by none other than the incoming CEO of Toyota, Koji Sato.

All these automakers are smart to be ready for electrification before regulatory requirements come in. Electrification is happening fast, and once critical mass is reached, the shift can happen quickly. Norway was targeting 2025 for an end to gas car sales, but they’re already at close to zero a few years early.

Besides, electrification has taken several companies by surprise already. It takes time to build battery factories, distribution networks, charging networks, train (and convince) car dealers in how to sell EVs, and so on. Companies could have started on these efforts long ago, but many companies are only starting to build battery factories now. This has led companies with less foresight to be more affected by supply constraints. For one example, just this week, Ford CEO Jim Farley said “batteries are the constraint.”

So a faster route to electrification is not just smarter for every living being on Earth, but smarter for the company. Toyota is very late to the game already, and will have to work extremely hard to catch up. But if the new CEO knows what’s good for Toyota as a businessman, and what’s good for humanity as a human, he’ll put in that effort and realign his company to act responsibly, both for the world and for his shareholders.

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Finally! The Nissan LEAF has been reborn as a new 2026 crossover, and it has NACS! [Video]

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Finally! The Nissan LEAF has been reborn as a new 2026 crossover, and it has NACS! [Video]

After years of development and months of teasers, Nissan has officially launched a reimagined version of the LEAF as a 2026 model year crossover, set to hit dealerships later this year. We will always love the original LEAF, but this new model is sharp and includes some well overdue upgrades, including a NACS port and Plug & Charge capabilities.

It’s been over fifteen years since the original Nissan LEAF debuted as one of the world’s first viable, mass-market EVs. For nearly a decade, the LEAF was the best-selling plug-in EV in the world, before Tesla took over.

While the original hatchback LEAF will go down in history as one of the earliest successful BEV models, its market status in recent years has been repetitive, laughably archaic (CHAdeMO), albeit nostalgic. The last five or six model years of the Nissan LEAF have essentially been the same car, and the public has been petitioning for something new.

How could an automaker so ahead of the BEV curve in 2009 fall so far behind over the course of a decade? Nissan asked itself that same question and has since bounced back with the ARIYA, which has been in production since 2022, but what about a new LEAF?

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In the summer of 2023, Nissan confirmed a next-gen LEAF was in the works, set to arrive in 2024. If you look at your calendar, you’ll notice that it didn’t happen, but we’re closer than ever! Last year, Nissan began sunsetting LEAF production to make way for the new version.

Since January 2025, we have been following several camouflaged images of the reimagined LEAF in the wild before Nissan gave us a first official look in March. Earlier this month, Nissan shared even more details, including a timeline for the new BEV’s global debut.

Today, the third-generation Nissan LEAF has officially launched as a 2026 model, and it’s about as nice of an upgrade as we could have asked for.

Nissan’s new LEAF is set to hit dealers this fall

This morning, Nissan shared all the specifications for the four planned trims of the new 2026 LEAF (except pricing, sorry). There’s much to unpack here, so let’s dig right in.

For starters, the first thing you’ll notice, which we’ve already noted in the past, is that the 2026 LEAF has evolved from a compact hatchback to a (slightly) larger, family-friendly crossover SUV.

The new LEAF is marginally shorter in length than the second-generation model (173.4 inches vs. 176.4 inches), but it is about an inch wider and a similar height to its predecessor. So, arriving as a radically looking version of the LEAF without the hatchback, it will fill a similar footprint to the older models.

While the 2026 Nissan LEAF may be similar in size, most of the rest of the BEV has been significantly overhauled in the best ways. For example, the battery packs and electric motors have been bolstered to provide significantly better horsepower, charge rates, and range.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the standard configurations of the four initial LEAF trims in the new generation:

Nissan LEAF Trim Motor Battery Power Onboard Charger
S 130 kW 52 kWh 174 hp, 254 lb-ft torque 7.2 kW
S+ SV, PLATINUM+ 160 kW 75 kWh 214 hp, 261 lb-ft torque 7.2 kW

Nissan also shared initial range estimates for the new LEAF trims, except for the base-level S version. Note that the two versions of the 2025 LEAF offered ranges of 149 and 212 miles, respectively:

2026 Nissan LEAF Trim Est. Range
S TBD
S+ 303 miles
SV+ 288 miles
PLATINUM+ 259 miles

Even at its lowest range, the 2026 LEAF can go significantly farther than the previous generation. Better yet, it will be A LOT easier when future owners need to recharge. Yes, Nissan has finally abandoned the long-defunct CHAdeMO port and has replaced it with not one, but two more modern options.

A J1772 port is present on the driver’s side fender for Level 1 and 2 charging, while a North American Charging Standard (NACS) is on the passenger’s side fender, giving drivers access to Tesla’s massive Supercharger network. Per Nissan, the new LEAF models can recharge from 10 to 80% in 35 minutes on a DCFC. 240V charge times remain “TBD.”

The new models also have “Plug & Charge” capabilities.

Moving inward, the 2026 LEAF looks like an entirely new vehicle designed for the modern driver. The two higher-end trims come with dual 14.3-inch dash displays with Google built-in. The two lower trims have dual 12.3 inch displays and all support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Nissan also shared that the cabin has an upgradable dimming panoramic roof—a first for its segment, according to the automaker. The crossover’s cargo area is 55.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seats when they’re folded (20 cubic feet when they’re upright).

Additionally, the new LEAF’s PLATINUM+ trim has 64-color ambient lighting that can be customized to set any mood in the cabin.

One key element we are missing from Nissan is the pricing of these new LEAF models. Those details should come sometime toward the end of summer, as the automaker has said the 2026 LEAF models should hit Nissan dealerships this fall.

While we await more details, be sure to check out Nissan’s b-roll footage of the new 2026 LEAF inside and out below:

Source: Nissan

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Suzuki reveals prices for its first EV, a twin to Toyota’s upcoming electric SUV

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Suzuki reveals prices for its first EV, a twin to Toyota's upcoming electric SUV

Suzuki revealed prices for its first EV, a twin to the upcoming Toyota Urban Cruiser. The e Vitarra will go on sale next month in an increasingly crowded market. Can it keep up with the Kia EV3 and other popular electric SUVs?

Suzuki announces prices for its first EV, built with Toyota

Ahead of sales, which are set to begin next month, Suzuki announced e Vitara prices this week, its first EV that will also serve as a twin to Toyota’s upcoming electric SUV.

The e Vitara will start at £29,999 ($40,500) with prices ranging up to £37,799 ($51,000) for the flagship “Ultra ALLGRIP-e 4WD” trim.

Sukuki’s first EV is available with two battery options: 49 kWh or 61 kWh, providing WLTP range of 346 km (215 miles) and 428 km (266 miles), respectively.

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Buyers can choose from “Motion” or “Ultra” grades, with single (2WD) and dual-motor (4WD) options. Suzuki developed the new four-wheel drive (4WD) ALLGRIP-e system specifically for the e Vitarra and is one of the few auto brands to offer an electric SUV with 4×4.

Suzuki-first-EV-Toyota-prices
Suzuki’s first EV, the e Vitara electric SUV (Source: Suzuki)

The e Vitara sits on a new dedicated “HEARTECT-e” EV platform, which houses the eAxle and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

As part of a deepening alliance, Toyota will use Suzuki’s EV powertrain for its upcoming electric SUV, the Urban Cruiser (shown below in white). Toyota will launch the Urban Cruiser in the next few months, which will essentially be a rebadged e-Vitara.

The e Vitara measures 4,275 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, and 1,635 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. That’s about the size of Kia’s new EV3 at 4,300 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,560 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,680 mm.

In the first quarter, the Kia EV3 was the best-selling retail EV and the fourth best-selling electric vehicle (including commercial EVs) in the UK.

Suzuki-first-EV-Toyota-interior
The interior of Suzuki’s first EV, the e Vitara (Source: Suzuki)

The EV3 starts at £33,005 ($42,500) in the UK. IT’s also available with two battery options: 58.3 kWh or 81.48 kWh. The former is good for a WLTP range of 430 km (270 miles), while the latter provides a range of 599 km (375 miles), respectively

Suzuki e Vitara trim OTR Pricing
49kWh Motion 2WD £29,999
61kWh Motion 2WD £32,999
61kWh Ultra 2WD £35,799
61kWh Motion ALLGRIP-e 4WD £34,999
61kWh Ultra ALLGRIP-e 4WD £37,799
Suzuki announces prices for its first EV, the e Vitara

Suzuki is offering a few discounts for early buyers, including 0% PCP for two years with a 20% deposit. With a deposit of £8,436 ($11,500), monthly payments for the 61 kWh Motion 2WD model would be £379 ($513).

If you order before September 30, Suzuki will give you a free Ohme home charger, plus 10,000 miles in home charging credit.

Can Suzuki’s new e Vitara keep pace with the Kia EV3 and other popular electric SUVs like the Hyundai Inster? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Tesla (TSLA) is sitting on so much inventory it has to take over parking lots all over the US

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Tesla (TSLA) is sitting on so much inventory it has to take over parking lots all over the US

Tesla (TSLA) is currently sitting on so much inventory in the US that it has to take over parking lots outside of its exciting delivery centers to act as “overflow lots.”

Over the last few weeks, there have been increased reports of Tesla vehicles spotted in parking lots not directly linked to Tesla retail, delivery, or service locations.

In Chesterfield near St. Louis, Missouri, Tesla has rented the parking lot of a partly demolished mall where it is parking hundreds of unsold cars, which its delivery location three miles away can’t hold.

This is what is known as an “overflow” lot to handle rising inventory levels. Tesla has been using a lot more of these this year amid demand problems.

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There was another Tesla overflow lot spotted in Farmington Hills, Michigan earlier this month that has been controversial. The lot was reportedly not coded for vehicle storage, and the city notified Tesla:

In this case, many vehicles were Cybertrucks, which Tesla is having a tough time selling. We previously reported that sales fell by half compared to last year despite bigger discounts, and Tesla had to throttle down production to avoid building even more inventory.

About 100 Cybertrucks were spotted in the Farmington Hills lot.

Similar Tesla overflow lots were also spotted in Nevada, Florida, and Ohio in recent months.

Tesla’s inventory in the United States can be difficult to track. Some sites track Tesla listings, but the automaker can sometimes post a single listing for multiple vehicles with the same configuration.

Nonetheless, the latest data points to Tesla inventory increasing over the last week, with a surge of Model 3 listings:

Tesla’s overall inventory is higher than it was at the same time last quarter.

Cybertruck inventory has decreased slightly as Tesla has reduced production, but the automaker is still holding over 3,000 unsold Cybertrucks.

Electrek’s Take

Tesla is now offering record-low lease prices and subsidized financing to move its vehicles in the US, and yet, it still has higher inventory this quarter than it did the last, with only two weeks left in the quarter.

This is a problem for Tesla because the US is its last market where things are not completely terrible.

Sales in Canada are now gone. Almost completely. Europe is down roughly 40% even with the new Model Y.

In China, Tesla is currently down approximately 3,000 units compared to Q1, despite having ramped up Model Y production, made all variants available, and offered 0% financing.

At this point, it looks like Tesla is going to deliver between 350,000 and 360,000 vehicles in Q2, despite the Wall Street analyst consensus still being at 410,000 vehicles.

That would be down a whopping 80,000 units compared to the same period last year, and this time, Tesla has no Model Y changeover to blame things on. All that amid surging EV sales globally.

Maybe Tesla shareholders start to wake up and realize that there’s a problem that needs fixing, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

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