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Toyota Assesses U.S. Supply Base for EVs
Toyota Motor Corp. is analyzing North America’s abilities to supply such electric-vehicle components as motors, batteries and power controllers.
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Toyota Motor Corp. is analyzing North America’s abilities to supply such electric-vehicle components as motors, batteries and power controllers.
Robert Young, who heads the company’s purchasing in the region, tells Automotive News that demand for EVs won’t be great enough to justify EV production in North America for several years. But he predicts a tipping point within a decade when local capacity will be necessary.
Toyota’s supplier assessment was prompted more than a year ago when Toyota created an in-house EV Business Planning Dept. headed by President Akio Toyoda. The company is expected to first sell EVs inspired by the new department in China beginning a few years from now.
Toyota has been skeptical about EVs primarily because of their limited range, preferring to focus on hybrid or fuel cell-based powertrains. But last month Japan’s Chunichi Shimbun revealed that the carmaker is developing solid-state batteries that will offer greater range and quicker charging. An EV equipped with the new batteries is expected as early as 2022, according to the report.
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