Toyota’s latest EV prototype makes its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2011. It represents the installation of an all-electric powertrain within a Toyota iQ package, combining compact city car agility with zero emissions and the easy, silent driving of a fully electric vehicle for four passengers.

Toyota has been developing electric vehicles since 1971, including a two-passenger concept – the e-com – and two generations of the RAV4 EV. The latter model, developed in partnership with Tesla, is due to go on sale in the United States in 2012.

Toyota's newest EV prototype, meanwhile, employs front wheel drive with a 47 kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, powered by an 11 kWh capacity and a 270 V lithium-ion battery located beneath the seats. The intelligent use of a new, flat battery design offers no compromise on passenger accommodation or loadspace.

The EV Prototype will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 14 seconds, has a maximum speed of 125 km/h and has a driving range of up to 105 km*. Two charging sockets catering for 100/200 V AC and quick charge DC power are located at the very front of the vehicle. They allow the vehicle to be fully charged from a 200 V supply in four hours, and 80% charged from a DC quick charge station in about 15 minutes. Additionally, a regenerative braking system will recover power during deceleration or under braking.

The new Toyota Electric Vehicle will undergo trials in Europe, Japan and the United States during 2011.

* Kilometres per charge in the Japanese JC08 test cycle