Toyota Enters China’s EV Arena With Two Battery Electric C-HRs

Toyota has arrived in Shanghai with not one but two all-electric versions of the C-HR that will be produced by the company’s local GAC-Toyota and FAW-Toyota joint ventures.

The new C-HR and its sibling IZOA will be the first Toyotas to be offered with a battery electric powertrain in the world’s biggest car market, starting from 2020.

Toyota didn’t mention any technical details of the C-HR EV but released a short video that shows the battery pack mounted on the floor and an electric motor positioned under the hood powering the front axle alone.

The electric versions of the Toyota C-HR will also get a fully digital instrument display and a new “gear” selector instead of the one you’ll find in the ICE-powered versions. Exterior details include a new front fascia with a small cutout in place of a traditional grille and smaller wheels/tires to reduce rolling resistance for a longer driving range.

Alongside the new C-HR and IZOA EVs, Toyota also brought the hybrid versions of the RAV4 and Alphard/Vellfire at Shanghai for their Chinese debut, as well as the rather futuristic-looking Rhombus concept. The Rhombus also employs a battery-electric powetrain and features an innovative cabin that fits four passengers and positions the driver in the middle.

Toyota is planning to introduce more than 10 battery-electric vehicles in China, including the aforementioned C-HR and IZOA, by 2025. The Japanese company’s target is to sell more than 5.5 million electrified vehicles globally by 2030.