Toyota planning fully-electric Yaris hatchback for 2028 to rival 2026 BYD Atto 1

Toyota has confirmed it will introduce a first-ever fully-electric Yaris hatch alongside the hybrid and petrol versions. 

Toyota’s European Vice President of Strategy and Marketing Andrea Carlucci said in an overseas interview the brand will look to embrace electrification in the segment.

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“The ideal path is to offer a platform where we have multi-energy options, so delivering different powertrains that are the right solution for every customer. 

“Let me put it to you this way: a multi-energy approach isn’t just one solution. It has to be the solution.”

There is no official news yet on whether we will see the electric Yaris in Australia, but it could be a welcome addition for the brand. 

Toyota currently has only one all-electric vehicle on sale, which is the bZ4X, while an electric HiLux is also on the way. 

An electric Yaris gives Toyota a competitor in the growing electric hatch segment, and would be expected to be the brand’s cheapest EV. 

It would take on the likes of the recently-unveiled Volkswagen ID. Polo,  which could be on the cards for Australia, as well as Chinese rivals such as the BYD Atto 1.

Toyota Australia said it was not able to confirm the arrival of the electric Yaris yet. 

Starting at under $30,000, the current hybrid-only Yaris is the cheapest car for Toyota in Australia, but any electric version is expected to be a decent step up in price.

One potential roadblock for the Yaris EV getting to Australia is where it will be sourced.

It will first launch in Europe and will likely be sourced from Toyota's factory in France. 

European budget car imports to Australia are often prohibitive due to high costs of shipment and other applicable tariffs

The Yaris currently available in Australia is sourced from Japan, which usually does not incur the same shipping costs as from Europe, meaning it can be offered at an affordable price point. 

Any new Yaris is not expected until 2027, when the new-generation hybrid will launch, with the electric version potentially not arriving until 2028.