Toyota’s egg-shaped minivan, the Previa, is formally going electrical. Will probably be revived as the primary all-electric Toyota minivan. Will the funky-looking minivan discover success as an EV?
When will Toyota launch its first electrical minivan?
Though Toyota launched Japan’s first “electrified,” or PHEV fashions lower than two weeks in the past, we’re already studying {that a} absolutely electrical minivan is coming.
Toyota launched the Alphard and Vellfire PHEV minivans on December 20, providing each gasoline and hybrid powertrains. The brand new PHEV system supplies as much as 45 miles (73 km) of all-electric driving vary, whereas the inside options “the quietness of a BEV.” In the meantime, Toyota has greater plans to enter the electrical minivan market.
In response to a latest report from Japan’s main auto journal, Finest Automobile (through Forbes), the Toyota Previa might be revived in 2026.
Recognized for its egg-shaped design, the Toyota Previa was offered within the US and abroad markets within the early Nineties. Nevertheless, resulting from stiff competitors from the Chrysler City and Nation, Dodge Caravan, and others, the Previa was discontinued in 1997. In its closing gross sales yr, solely 3,780 items had been offered, in comparison with a peak of round 52,000 in 1991.
The Previa was changed by the Sienna, which has a way more toned-down design and remains to be offered primarily within the North American market.
Though Toyota was anticipated to make use of the e-TNGA platform, which underpins the bZ4X electrical SUV, a Toyota insider mentioned the Previa EV will use the GA-Okay platform, at present used for the Crown, Camry, and RAV-4 fashions.
Will probably be obtainable in each electrical (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) choices. Like its predecessor, the electrical minivan is anticipated to function an analogous egg-like design for aerodynamics.
The revived Previa was initially developed as a hydrogen gas cell car (FCEV), however Toyota modified its plans resulting from an absence of demand and charging. The FCEV mannequin was previewed because the “Advantageous-Consolation Trip” Idea (proven above) in 2017.
Electrek’s Take
An all-electric Toyota minivan may assist the Japanese auto large lastly acquire traction within the EV market. Gross sales of its first electrical mannequin, the bZ4X, have been slower than anticipated resulting from an early recall and an inflow of mid-size electrical SUVs, many occasions with extra vary and options.
Toyota is understood for its hybrids, just like the Prius, so it’s no shock that it’ll supply a PHEV model. Nevertheless, with no devoted EV platform, the electrical Previa may undergo the identical destiny because the bZ4X, with much less vary and choices.
Rivals like Hyundai are additionally launching their first electrical minivans quickly. Hyundai is making ready to start manufacturing of its Staria Electrical minivan subsequent yr. It’s anticipated to launch in Korea subsequent yr, adopted by Europe within the first half of 2026. European-made fashions might be imported to locations like Australia and Thailand, two key abroad markets for Toyota.
Lately, experiences surfaced that Toyota is dropping the bZ4X (bZ) naming system, so an electrical Previa minivan may make sense.
Toyota has teased different EV revivals, together with electrical Land Cruiser and Supra fashions. It additionally simply launched the City Cruiser electrical SUV in Europe. Examine again quickly for more information on Toyota’s first electrical minivan.
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