Toyota’s smallest electrical automobile may truly hit the highway. Because of new funding from the UK authorities, Toyota is one step nearer to turning this pint-sized EV with a photo voltaic roof right into a actuality.
The Toyota FT-Me is a micro EV with a photo voltaic roof
It might be solely 2.5 meters (98″) lengthy, however Toyota believes the tiny electrical automotive may very well be an inexpensive technique to zip across the metropolis.
The FT-Me is “a floor breaking idea” that blends premium design with affordability, Toyota mentioned after unveiling it in March.
After securing a £15 million ($20,000) funding from the UK authorities’s DRIVE35 program, Toyota is transferring nearer to truly launching the pint-sized EV.
The Superior Propulsion Centre UK, which manages the funding, introduced that the £30.3 million ($40,500) venture features a £15 million grant from the Division for Enterprise and Commerce. Toyota is predicted to fund the opposite roughly £15 million.
Toyota is working with a number of companions, together with city supply specialist ELM Mobility and the College of Derby, to develop a brand new light-weight battery electrical automobile (BEV) within the L6e class.
In the meantime, Savcor will design and develop the photo voltaic roof, which Toyota claims can prolong a automobile’s vary by 20%, or about 20 to 30 km per day.
The pint-sized EV might be manufactured at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston website, the place it at present builds the Corolla.
Though it’s in regards to the dimension of a golf cart, Toyota guarantees the micro EV suits two passengers comfortably. The corporate additionally claims the FT-Me’s propulsion system makes use of 3X much less power per km than present high-capacity electrical autos.
Impressed by a jet helmet, Toyota mentioned the automobile’s compact design makes it excellent for getting across the metropolis. It solely takes up about half a parking spot.
Toyota’s pint-sized EV may arrive as a possible rival to the Citroen Ami. The Ami begins at £7,695 ($10,000) OTR, providing a WLTP vary of as much as 46 miles.
Would you purchase Toyota’s micro EV for about $10,000? It may very well be a enjoyable (and environment friendly) technique to zip round city. It’s mainly a futuristic electrical golf cart with a photo voltaic roof. Sadly, it seemingly won’t ever make it to the US with America’s rising love for large vehicles and SUVs.
