Lexus Australia wants 80 per cent of its sales by 2025 to come from cars running either hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or battery electric (BEV) drivetrains – making petrol-only offerings a sliver of its volume.
This is well up on its record 39 per cent hybrid share achieved in 2021.
However, there are still a lot of blanks needing to be filled in until we get a clear idea of exactly what the Japanese luxury brand’s line-up will look like a few years from now.
RZ 450e
The company, a hybrid leader and backer of the technology (it expects the NX 350h to be the top-selling version of what will be its top-selling model range), has just released its first BEV in the form of the UX 300e, and is this week launching its first PHEV, called the NX 450h+.
Owners of both are provided by a home charger, as well as access to various special programs as part of the Encore Platinum aftersales scheme.
While the UX 300e is Lexus’ first BEV, it’s based on a combustion platform. Its first bespoke BEV will be the RZ 450e crossover, set for a world premiere later in 2022.
UX 300e
The RZ450e uses Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, which serves as the underpinnings for the Toyota bZ4X, as well as the Subaru Solterra. The Lexus RZ will look significantly different from its almost identical relatives, though.
As to the RZ’s Australian future, tight initial production is likely to hurt. The company’s Australian division says it “would love to get it” but it’s currently unable to lock in confirmation of local timing.
It’ll almost certainly come, but bigger markets in Europe, Asia and the US will in all probability take priority – as they so often do given Australia’s slow BEV take-up.
NX 450h+
“We expect to grow our electrified vehicle share substantially, they will make up at least 80 per cent of our local Lexus sales by the end of 2025 – more than double last year’s supply,” said recently appointed Lexus Australia CEO John Pappas.
You can catch up on the latest Toyota and Lexus BEV plans in previous coverage below.
MORE: Toyota accelerates battery EV sales target by 75 per cent
MORE: Toyota and Lexus reveal 16 diverse electric concepts
MORE: Toyota to develop new hybrid, PHEV and EV platform just for Europe
MORE: Which brands are going fully electric and by when?
