After facing much criticism for not taking battery EVs (BEVs) seriously enough, Toyota announced on Friday that it will be launching 10 new BEV models by 2026, contributing 1.5 million units to the company’s annual sales.

This will include a new generation BEV that Toyota’s product chief and Executive Vice-President Hiroki Nakajima says, “...will double driving range by using batteries with far greater efficiency, while also offering designs and driving performance to set hearts racing.”

Nakajima also announced that a pick-up BEV model will enter production by the end of this year. This BEV pick-up truck is aimed at buyers in Asia and other developing markets.

Specifics were not disclosed but Toyota has previewed two BEV concept trucks for Southeast Asia - the Toyota Hilux BEV and Toyota IMV 0, both were previewed in Thailand in December last year.

It should also be pointed out that Nakajima is the chief engineer of the current generation Toyota Hilux, better known in Thailand as the Hilux Revo.

Also read: This is the all-electric Toyota Hilux Revo BEV Concept

Nakajima is also the man behind the Toyota iQ – a short-lived ultra-compact car aimed at Europe, whose packaging was much better than the Smart ForTwo ever was.

Another unnamed small BEV model - presumably a B or C-segment passenger car, as these are the next largest segments in this region after pick-up trucks - has also been confirmed for emerging markets.

In Indonesia, Toyota has also previewed an Innova EV concept last year.

Also read: Closer look at the Toyota Innova EV Concept previewed at the 2022 IIMS; Up to 300 km range on one charge

The forthcoming electric Toyota pick-up and small car models for our region will be developed according to Chairman Akio Toyoda’s philosophies of “Making ever-better cars” and “Best-in-town.” The latter refers to products that are tailored to meet the unique needs of users in each region, as opposed to pushing “best-in-the-world” products that are ill-suited to their needs.

Elaborating Toyota’s region-specific BEV models, Nakajima said, “In developed countries, in parallel with the preparation of next-generation battery EVs, with a focus on the bZ series and with further refined performance, we will greatly expand our product line-up.

“In the U.S., we will start the local production of a 3-row SUV in 2025.The SUV will be equipped with batteries to be produced in North Carolina, and the production capacity will be increased.

“Also in China, in addition to the bZ4X and bZ3 which was announced last month, we will launch two models of locally developed battery EVs in 2024, fit to the local needs. And will continue to increase the number of models in the following years.

“In Asia and other emerging markets, we will make sure to respond to the growing demand for battery EVs. Specifically, by the end of the year, we will start local production of the battery EV pickup trucks and will also launch a small battery EV model.”

Sales chief and Executive Vice-President Yoichi Miyazaki also elaborated on Toyota’s regional product-centric approach and said, “Aiming to become the 'best-in-town carmaker', under the call of ‘Let's make ever-better cars’ while carefully responding to the individuality and needs of each region, we have provided high-quality cars one by one under the leadership of the regional CEOs, based on the Toyota New Global Architecture or TNGA.

“As a result, we have increased sales in growing emerging markets and achieved an exceptionally balanced regional sales mix.

“Also, in addition to lowering R&D costs and incentives through the effect of implementing TNGA, and with the timely product improvement that meet the needs of each region, which is our strength, as a result of our continuous efforts to build up cost reduction working together with our suppliers our earning power has grown overwhelmingly compared to the past, and we have evolved into a structure that allows us to grow our earnings while investing in the future for further growth.”

New President and CEO Koji Sato, the chief engineer responsible for the fantastically beautiful Lexus LC 500 said, “To continue to pursue ever-better cars together with Chairman Toyoda, who is a master driver and Morizo. That is - and will continue to be - the centerpiece of Toyota, the carmaker that manages by using its products.”

Despite the formal announcement of a BEV plan for Southeast Asia, hybrids will remain the main focus for Toyota in this part of the world, because it’s most effective, most acceptable solution to customers in this part of the world – again, best-in-town ever-better cars.

Also read: Toyota doesn’t sell hybrids in Cambodia, so why is Phnom Penh SEA’s Prius capital?

Koji Sato, a car-lover who had recently taken delivery of a restored Toyota AE86 before assuming his current position as CEO said, “When it comes to car manufacturing, we will continue to pursue a variety of options, based on a multi-pathway solutions, to stay close to the future of energy and the condition of each region.

“First, we will thoroughly implement electrification, which we can do immediately. To steadily reduce CO2 emissions from where we stand now, we will promote the practical popularization of electrified vehicles. We will strengthen sales of hybrid electric vehicles, including in emerging markets, and increase the number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle options. We will expand our lineup of battery electric vehicles, or BEVs, which represent one important option, over the next several years.

“At the same time, we are boldly preparing for the future. As one of our efforts, we will do our utmost to develop next-generation BEVs for the era of BEV popularization and create new business models.“

Thailand has been chosen to be region’s pionner and testbed for Toyota’s multi-pathway solution to low carbon mobility.

It has recently partnered with Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand (CP group), one of the largest food companies in the world, to generate carbon neutral hydrogen fuel from farm waste, including chicken sh*t.

No this is not a joke, Toyota wants to turn smelly chicken poop into hydrogen fuel for fuel-cell electric trucks delivering food to the wet market and grocery stalls.