Takeshi Uchiyamada announced the automaker’s plans during a speech Sept. 13 in Detroit.
Toyota’s Prius gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle has dominated the segment. The world’s largest automaker has been less certain about the market for fully electric vehicles like Nissan’s Leaf due out this year.
Tesla and Toyota announced a partnership in May to develop electric vehicles under the strategy of the start-up company for its $109,000 Roadster, powered by more than 6,800 laptop batteries.
Toyota had previously announced plans for its first electric vehicle.
Article Last Updated: March 24, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.