Toyota will debut a longer-range electric SUV, the “bZ,” in the U.S. this year with a 500-km range and faster charging, upgrading the current bZ4X model.
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| Toyota’s updated electric SUV, the “bZ,” will hit U.S. roads with a 500-km range and fast-charging battery, replacing the bZ4X with improved performance. Image: Toyota |
Toyota, Japan — May 14, 2025:
Toyota Motor Corp. announced plans to launch a revamped version of its electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) in the United States under the simplified name “bZ” in the second half of 2025. The vehicle is an upgrade of the current bZ4X and features a longer driving range and faster charging capabilities.
The new bZ will boast a 25% increase in range compared to its predecessor, delivering up to 500 kilometers (approx. 310 miles) on a single charge. Powered by a large-capacity lithium-ion battery, the vehicle will also support rapid charging from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes, Toyota said on Tuesday.
Originally launched in 2022, the bZ4X was Toyota’s first mass-produced electric vehicle. Sales in the United States doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching 18,570 units, reflecting growing demand for EVs in North America.
Production of the new bZ will take place at Toyota’s Motomachi plant in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and units are expected to be exported to the United States. This raises potential implications for automotive tariffs under U.S. trade policy, especially in light of protectionist measures introduced under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The current bZ4X is priced at approximately $40,000 (¥5.9 million) in the U.S. Toyota has yet to announce the final pricing for the new bZ model.
With the bZ, Toyota is aiming to expand its presence in the competitive EV market by addressing range anxiety and charging speed—two of the most critical concerns for American consumers.