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Toyota Motor introduced two new fully electric concept models at the Auto Show in Shanghai Tuesday as part of its expanding bZ (Beyond Zero) lineup. The new EVs include a sport crossover and family-oriented SUV that will be launched in China next year.

The Japanese automaker released its first electric vehicle, the bZ4X SUV, in China this past October.

However, Toyota has struggled thus far to gain any meaningful traction, selling only 3,844 EV models through January, a fraction (0.25%) of its overall sales in the country.

In February, Toyota slashed prices to boost sales and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving Chinese auto market by 15%, or 20,000 RMB ($4,300). The move came after Tesla and other EV leaders reduced prices in the region earlier this year, creating a wave of discounts in the industry.

The automaker introduced its second fully electric model from its bZ lineup, the bZ3 electric sedan, in October. The electric sedan is generating attention after earning over 5,000 orders on its first sales day.

Toyota plans to bolster its lineup further after unveiling two new fully electric models Tuesday to join its lineup, including a sport crossover and SUV designed for families.

Toyota reveals new electric crossover and SUV concepts

The bZ Sport Crossover is based on the “reboot” concept integrating the idea of a change of pace as soon as you get in the vehicle.

In addition, Toyota says the bZ Sport Crossover includes an active, iconic style with functions to create a “personal space” for younger and Gen Z customers.

Toyota electric-crossover-SUV-3

The electric crossover will be codeveloped by Toyota BYD EV Technology Co., a joint venture between FAW-Toyota (a JV between Toyota and FAW) and Chinese EV leader BYD.

Like with the bZ3, BYD will most likely provide the model’s battery, electric motor, and electronic control systems.

Meanwhile, the bZ FlexSpace Concept is designed for families with a focus on utility. Based on the concept of a “cozy home,” the electric SUV creates a safe space for families with a large, spacious interior, advanced safety features, and ease of use.

Toyota electric-crossover-SUV-4

The electric SUV is being co-developed by Toyota, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (GAC), GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., and TMEC. It is planned to be produced and sold by GAC Toyota Motor.

Toyota says it’s accelerating its electric vehicle lineup by collaborating with local partners to offer more value and better products that appeal to customers in China.

Electrek’s Take

Despite Japanese automakers, including Toyota, accounting for 19% of the overall auto market in China, they represent less than 0.35% of pure EVs.

And it’s not just Japanese automakers either. German automakers are also seeing their share of China’s auto segment dwindle with new entrants like BYD, Tesla, Geely, NIO, and more, ramping EV production and delivery.

Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and more have recently increased their EV sales and production goals as demand for zero-emission vehicles continues to take many by surprise.

With the release of its two new EV models, Toyota aims to reconnect with its customer base in the region.

Photo Credit: Toyota

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China’s nationwide ‘cash for clunkers’ trade-in program causing huge e-bike boom

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China's nationwide 'cash for clunkers' trade-in program causing huge e-bike boom

While much of the Western world is still figuring out how to get more people on electric bikes, China just flipped a switch, and the results are staggering. Thanks to a generous nationwide trade-in program rolled out around six months ago, China has seen an explosive surge in electric bicycle sales, with over 8.47 million new e-bikes hitting the road in the first half of 2025 alone.

The program, which offers subsidies to riders who trade in their old, often outdated electric bikes for newer, safer, and more efficient models, has sparked a new e-bike sale boom in a country already dominated by e-bike travel. In major provinces like Jiangsu, Hebei, and Zhejiang, over one million new e-bikes were sold in each region in just six months. That’s a tidal wave of e-bike sales.

The incentives vary depending on location and the model being traded in, but for many consumers, the subsidies cover a substantial portion of a new e-bike’s price – enough to turn a “maybe next year” purchase into a “right now” upgrade. And these aren’t just budget bikes either. The program has driven demand for higher-quality models with better batteries, safer braking systems, and more reliable electronics, accelerating both adoption and innovation across the industry.

The move has proven successful in replacing the millions of older models with lower-quality lithium-ion batteries that had posed safety risks around the country. Instead, China has pushed for higher-quality lithium-ion batteries, a return to a newer generation of higher-performance AGM batteries, and even interesting new sodium-ion battery options.

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Most e-bikes in China look more like what we’d consider seated scooters

According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, more than 8.4 million consumers have participated in the e-bike trade-in program so far, contributing to a sales increase of 643.5% year-over-year and more than doubling sales month-over-month. Meanwhile, production of new electric bicycles rose by nearly 28%, as manufacturers scrambled to meet demand. The sales boosts have already been seen in the financial reports of major industry players like NIU.

And it’s not just the big players benefiting – over 82,000 small independent e-bike dealers reported average sales increases of ¥302,000 (around US $42,000), giving a serious boost to local economies.

What’s particularly striking here is how fast this happened. The program was officially launched late last year as part of a broader effort to stimulate domestic consumption and phase out outdated vehicles and appliances. But while most analysts expected gradual growth, the e-bike sector responded much more quickly. In less than a year, the trade-in subsidies have reshaped the electric bicycle market, creating a consumer-driven boom that shows no signs of slowing.

For those of us watching from outside China, it’s hard not to wonder what might happen if other countries tried something similar. While most families in Chinese cities already own an electric bike and thus see this as an opportunity to trade it in for a newer model, Western countries like the US are still figuring out how to stimulate commuters into buying their first e-bike.

It’s too soon to know exactly how long the boom will last or whether the momentum will carry into 2026 and beyond. We’ve seen bicycle industry bubbles grow and burst before. But one thing’s clear: with the right incentives, even modest ones, it’s possible to ignite real, large-scale change. China just proved it with nearly 8.5 million new e-bikes to show for it.

And if you’re wondering what it looks like when a country takes electric micromobility seriously, this is it.

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Day 1 of the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix 2025 [Gallery]

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Day 1 of the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix 2025 [Gallery]

Today was the official start of racing at the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix 2025! There was a tremendous energy (and heat) on the ground at NCM Motorsports Park as nearly a dozen teams took to the track. Currently, as of writing, Stanford is ranked #1 in the SOV (Single-Occupant Vehicle) class with 68 registered laps. However, the fastest lap so far belongs to UC Berkeley, which clocked a 4:45 on the 3.15-mile track. That’s an average speed of just under 40 mph on nothing but solar energy. Not bad!

In the MOV (Multi-Occupant Vehicle) class, Polytechnique Montréal is narrowly ahead of Appalachian State by just 4 laps. At last year’s formula sun race, Polytechnique Montréal took first place overall in this class, and the team hopes to repeat that success. It’s still too early for prediction though, and anything can happen between now and the final day of racing on Saturday.

Congrats to the teams that made it on track today. We look forward to seeing even more out there tomorrow. In the meantime, here are some shots from today via the event’s wonderful photographer Cora Kennedy.

Stay tuned for more!

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Tesla sold 5,000 Cybertrucks Q2, Optimus is in chaos, plus: the Infinity Train!

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Tesla sold 5,000 Cybertrucks Q2, Optimus is in chaos, plus: the Infinity Train!

The numbers are in and they are all bad for Tesla fans – the company sold just 5,000 Cybertruck models in Q4 of 2025, and built some 30% more “other” vehicles than it delivered. It just gets worse and worse, on today’s tension-building episode of Quick Charge!

We’ve also got day 1 coverage of the 2025 Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix, reports that the Tesla Optimus program is in chaos after its chief engineer jumps ship, and a look ahead at the fresh new Hyundai IONIQ 2 set to bow early next year, thanks to some battery specs from the Kia EV2.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

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Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.


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