2025 Toyota HiAce electric car previewed as Toyota plays catchup against Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot and LDV

Toyota will rollout a bevy of van concepts at this year’s Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, headlined by an all-electric HiAce that previews the tailpipe emissions-free future of the long-running light-commercial vehicle (LCV).

However, full details on the HiAce concept are still being kept under wraps, so we don’t yet know about battery capacity, power/torque outputs or driving range.

It is however, expected to be at least competitive against other mid-size electric vans like the LDV Deliver 7, Ford e-Transit Custom, Mercedes-Benz eVito and incoming Peugeot e-Expert.

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The Toyota concept features barn-style rear doors and just a single seat for the driver to maximise load carrying capacity, able to transport items up to 3490mm long.

Measuring 5280mm long, 1990mm tall and with a 3210mm wheelbase, the concept van is much smaller than the current Australian HiAce in long-wheelbase guise, but its 1950mm width matches the existing model.

And as a sign to its future-forward powertrain, the HiAce BEV concept features an all-digital instrument cluster and large multimedia touchscreen.

From the outside, the future HiAce boasts ultra-slender headlights, an enclosed front grille and yellow-accented front bumper, as well as segmented tail-lights, for a sci-fi look.

Overseas reports point to an electric HiAce market introduction around 2025, which would give its rivals all due to be launched or refreshed in 2024 at least some lead time ahead of the market-leading model.

Toyota Auto Body, in charge of building the HiAce and other Toyota commercial vehicles, will also showcase the X-Van Gear concept, a rugged small van designed for outdoor adventures.

However, the party piece of the X-Van Gear concept are its front and rear sliding doors, which should make ingress into its couch-style three-row seats a breeze.

The front passenger seat can even swivel around and the middle-row folded flat for a dinner-table arraignment if the need arises.

Finally, a Vellfire Spacious Lounge concept will also be in attendance at the Japan Mobility Show, which ditches the third-row seating in the luxurious people mover, but not for extra storage space.

Instead, the second-row seats are pushed further back to allow 500mm more legroom for passengers, creating a more luxurious experience.