Toyota Eyes Electric Yaris, But Delays Launch
Toyota has confirmed plans for an electric version of the Yaris, its popular supermini, although the company has indicated that the time isn’t right for the vehicle’s introduction. The automaker is prioritizing expansion into larger electric vehicle segments before considering a smaller offering to rival the Renault 5.
The Toyota Yaris, one of the brand’s best-selling models, is expected to eventually get an electric version.
The Yaris is a crucial model for Toyota, particularly in Europe. It’s the brand’s best-selling car in the UK and second best in all of Europe, with approximately 22,000 units sold in the UK alone last year, accounting for around 21% of the company’s sales.
During an interview with Autocar, Andrea Carlucci, Toyota Europe’s product and marketing boss, addressed the possibility of an electric Yaris. “This is the idea, but now it is not something we talk about,” Carlucci stated.
“We have deliberately decided to start [our electric car sales] in the fastest-growing segments [C, D and E]. The right moment will arrive, but this is not quite now.”
Toyota currently offers a three-model electric vehicle lineup, including the new C-HR+, the updated bZ4X, and the Suzuki-made Urban Cruiser. According to Carlucci, forgoing a smaller model to complement these SUVs represents a strategic choice.
Scott Thompson, the UK boss, acknowledged the market’s interest in smaller electric vehicles, as demonstrated by the Renault 5. “There will come a time and a place,” Thompson explained. “For us, it is all about the right car, the right place at the right time, it really is. And at the moment, the expansion you’re seeing are the right segments for Europe for us right now.”
An electric supermini from Toyota is expected to arrive later in the decade, given the brand’s plans to introduce three new EVs by the end of 2026, rumored to include a pick-up truck, a fastback, and an SUV. When it does launch, the electric Yaris is likely to retain the Yaris name, with Carlucci indicating that future Toyota EVs would utilize “familiar names” from “current cars,” such as the recently revealed C-HR+.
