Toyota Announced Plans for iQ EV

Toyota's initiative to develop the iQ EV stemmed from its earlier work on electric vehicle concepts, specifically the FT-EV series, which began in 2009. These concepts were based on a modified version of the Toyota iQ platform, showcasing the company's commitment to exploring electric mobility. The announcement of the iQ EV, also known as the Scion iQ EV in the United States and the Toyota eQ in Japan, marked a significant step towards producing a fully electric vehicle. However, despite the initial plans for a broader rollout, production was limited to just 100 units, designated for special fleet use in Japan and the U.S. This decision reflected a strategic pivot by Toyota, as the company later indicated a reduced focus on fully electric vehicles in favor of hybrid technologies, which had been more successful in the market. The limited production run of the iQ EV highlighted the challenges faced by automakers in the transition to electric vehicles, including consumer demand, infrastructure readiness, and competition from other manufacturers.