Zeekr 001: First electric car to cross the 1000 km of autonomy in Europe 

A key element of Toyota’s strategy is the early integration of solid batteries in its vehicles, before 2030, while other players in the industry later announce it in the decade. This change of direction marks a significant evolution for Toyota, which had initially delayed its electrical transition.

Electric car: Toyota table over 1000 km of autonomy and 20 minutes of load

Accused of not investing enough in electric cars, the Japanese giant Toyota plans to launch in 2026 a model with 1000 km of autonomy and capable of recharging in 20 min. Its large asset would be a solid battery.

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Accused by certain radicals of the all-electrical of slowing down its green transition from the four tires, Toyota explained in a press release from its technical director, Hiroki Nakajima, which he set out to become the world leader in the batteries segment. Pivot of its reconquest strategy, the Japanese manufacturer intends to focus not only on current batteries, but also the next generation.

The manufacturer would have a strategic plan in three stages:

• From 2026, Toyota plans to double the current autonomy of its electric vehicles. Today, the only electric model is the BZ4X, which displays 513 km of autonomy according to the WLTP standard. The manufacturer works on a performance version of its batteries, which would reach an autonomy of around 1000 km, while reducing production costs by 20 %. Progress is also announced in the area of ​​recharging, with the possibility of realling the battery from 10 to 80 % in just 20 min.

• Between 2026 and 2027, Toyota plans to develop its own LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery and modify the design of anodes and cathodes by inspired by the “bipolar structure” used in its current hybrid models. The use of LFP technology would improve vehicle autonomy, such as BZ4X, by 20 % while reducing the price by 40 %. The firm also plans to increase the capacity of LFP batteries to reach even higher autonomies.
• Between 2027 and 2028, Toyota set a very ambitious goal: to offer a standard electric vehicle equipped with a solid battery. The manufacturer already develops this technology and aims at a range of 1500 km with charging time limited to 10 short minutes. An important step to improve the performance and accessibility of electric vehicles, but the current cost of manufacturing solid batteries bridles these ambitions.

Toyota also plans to combine these battery technologies with a range of five new models made up of a compact, a sedan, two SUVs and a minivan, without specifying the Toyota/Lexus distribution, however. The Japanese also intends to change its production model by drawing inspiration from that of Tesla with “giga-prime” and a cut in three parts of the cars (front, middle and rear). This approach is motivated by Toyota’s desire to dominate the electric market rather than just participating in it.

A key element of Toyota’s strategy is the early integration of solid batteries in its vehicles, before 2030, while other players in the industry later announce it in the decade. This change of direction marks a significant evolution for Toyota, which had initially delayed its electrical transition.

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Zeekr 001: First electric car to cross the 1000 km of autonomy in Europe ?

A Chinese brand could style Tesla at the post in the race for the electric car at 1,000 km of autonomy.

We were waiting for Tesla, Mercedes or Audi, but it is a Chinese manufacturer, very little known to the general public who risks marketing the first an electric car with 1,000 km of autonomy. This manufacturer is Zeekr, a relatively recent brand (2021) but which belongs to a mastodon in the sector, the Geely group (which owns Volvo, Polestar or Lotus). First confined to the local market, the brand is already targeting global expansion and would count on the Zeekr 001 to make it known.

This large SUV with sharp lines is not a total novelty since it was marketed in 2021. Nevertheless, in 2023, he should experience a big change with the arrival of a large autonomy version with a 140 kWh battery signed Catl. This unique accumulator on the market will therefore be kept from Zeekr for a few months. Indeed, the Geely group brand has ensured a priority supply by signing a partnership with the Battery supplier last August. At the heart of this contract is the exploitation of Catl’s new battery, called “Qilin”, composed of new cells and displaying a record density of 255 Wh/kg. This silicon doped battery technology should obviously be accessible to other manufacturers, but for the moment, it seems reserved for Chinese manufacturers, as part of the national plan “Made in China 2025”.

1000 km of autonomy: an overly optimistic estimate ?

To take on such a battery, you obviously need a fairly imposing vehicle. This is the other advantage of 001. With his 5 m long and his big template, he is able to support the 700 kg imposed by the weight of his “qilin”. However, there is an unknown: what is the real autonomy of this model ? Indeed, Zeekr announces its 001 more than 1,000 km of autonomy. To achieve this estimate, the brand is based on the Chinese approval cycle CLTC, known to be particularly optimistic in comparison with our usual WLTP, already considered generous. The real autonomy of the ZEEKR should therefore be less than the 1,000 km announced, unless the “Qilin” does miracles.

Nevertheless, this SUV has everything of the ideal pretender for a European launch that Zeekr has already made this year. It remains to be seen whether the manufacturer of the Geely group wishes to extend his big battery on the old continent or if he will prefer a more discreet arrival with more modest models.

Toyota is preparing an electric car with 1000 km of autonomy for 2026

Lately on the electric, Toyota plans to set the record straight. The Japanese manufacturer has just specified the overhaul of its electric vehicle strategy. This will take effect in concessions from 2026.

Toyota has teased a five -model family, without however indicating the brands, because Lexus is also concerned: a compact, a large sedan, two SUVs and a minivan. To improve their autonomy, the manufacturer will take particular care to their aerodynamics, by using artificial intelligence for that. The latter will give the main lines of the silhouette, the mission of the designers will then be to give personality to the vehicles.

For this new generation of electricity, Toyota will be inspired by Tesla. The Japanese brand plans to simplify the design and production of vehicles by designing a new structure in three parts (the front, the middle, the rear). Thanks to “Giga-Presses”, the number of pieces will be greatly reduced.

The most important part of the strategy is obviously the battery. Toyota works on a new generation of lithium-ion batteries. A “performance” version promises an autonomy of around 1.000 km, with at the same time a reduced cost by 20 % compared to the BZ4X battery (approved with us with 513 km of mixed autonomy) and a quick recharge time of only 20 minutes (to go from 10 to 80 %).

For more affordable vehicles, the brand is also preparing an LFP battery, with a new “bipolar” structure, inspired by hybrid models of the brand. Autonomy compared to BZ4X will increase by 20 % with a reduced cost by 40 % ! A version of this battery with more autonomy will follow.

Toyota is also working on solid batteries technology, which he hopes to offer in large series around 2027/2028. With it, the manufacturer is squarely a range of 1200 km and a recharge time (from 10 to 80 %) in just 10 minutes !

At the end of this year, Lexus will present a concept laying the foundations for the new strategy, called “Bev Factory”. This prototype will have the shape of a large sedan.