Two new Toyota electric cars revealed: Japanese carmaker shows off new bZ3C and bZ3X EVs as zero-emissions siblings to Corolla Cross and C-HR SUVs

The sleeping giant is waking up from its electric car slumber.

Toyota has been slow on the uptake of electric cars, but it has just revealed two new EVs at the 2024 Beijing motor show. 

Dubbed the bZ3C and bZ3X, the two new models are initially slated for sale in China, but a global expansion isn’t out of the question as Toyota ramps up the rollout of its electric car portfolio.

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The two models are likely to be smaller than the recently launched bZ4X SUV and more in line with the Corolla Cross and C-HR compact SUVs.

There is no word on whether these models will arrive in Australia, but the local arm’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley has previously said Toyota is aiming to launch three electric models by 2026. 

Toyota has already launched the RAV4-sized bZ4X this year and these two smaller SUVs could be the next zero-emissions vehicles landing in showrooms. 

The bZ3C is a production-ready version of the bZ Sport Crossover concept shown at the 2023 Shanghai Motor Show.

It features a low-slung look with a sloping coupe-like rear end and a sharp sports car-themed bonnet in a similar vein to the new C-HR hybrid crossover.

The Toyota bZ3X is likely the same size as the current Corolla Cross SUV.

Toyota hasn’t revealed any mechanical details of the sporty-styled SUV but it did confirm the vehicle was jointly developed with Chinese carmaker BYD. 

This opens the door for the new Toyota EV to use BYD’s battery technology, which is a market leader in LFP batteries.

LFP batteries - or Lithium iron-phosphate batteries -  are cheaper and safer than conventional lithium-ion cells and don’t use rare minerals such as cobalt and nickel.

BYD recently detailed its next-generation batteries that are more efficient, and capable of providing a claimed electric driving range of more than 1000km.

The interior has a minimalist vibe similar to a Tesla. (bZ3C pictured)

That range is based on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), which is much more generous than the widely used Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

The bZ3X is a more conventionally styled SUV and appears to be the electric equivalent to the Toyota Corolla Cross.

It is the ready to go version of the bZ FlexSpace concept from the 2023 Shanghai auto show.

Again official details are scarce but we do know that it will have a full array of the latest driver aids and safety tech.

Both models feature a large floating central multimedia screen similar to units found in Tesla and BYD electric cars and a small driver display. A floating centre console has storage above and below.