Toyota's game-changing EV plan exposed: New patents show Toyota is working on a revolutionary design that could change its future 2026 Tesla Model Y, Zeekr 7X and Geely EX5 rivals

The world’s biggest carmaker was slow to release its first electric car, but it could be about to revolutionise the entire industry.

Toyota has lodged new patents that upturn the way electric cars are put together.

Read More About Toyota

• Big update on Toyota HiLux Hybrid: here’s the latest on where the petrol-electric hybrid dual-cab ute for Australia is to take on the 2026 Ford Ranger PHEV, BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
• Toyota's massive hybrid pledge: 30 per cent production boost for popular fuel-saving hybrid vehicles like the 2026 Toyota RAV4, Camry, Corolla, Kluger and more as incentives for electric cars are being slashed around the world - report
• Toyota tumbles, China dominates, petrol plummets and we abandon US-style pickups like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado as Australia's best selling vehicles revealed

Most EVs have the battery, motors and other power components all laid out in a flat, skateboard-like base with the car effectively built on top of it.

This structure has height implications with cars with those components stacked, which can result in a high floor for vehicles that greatly reduces interior space.

This is okay for SUVs, which are taller, but other forms of vehicles it greatly restricts the practicality inside.

Toyota’s idea would spread out the components to maximise the space, by placing the items where there is room for them throughout the vehicle.

This idea doesn’t change the bulk or the place of the battery, but changes where the other components are placed.

Toyota’s idea lumps these items together in two boxes, either front or behind the battery or in a central tunnel that is between the front two seats.

This design could deliver more cargo space, which could be used for a spare tyre. Current EVs lack a spare tyre, and is one of the major fall backs of the technology.

Another patent also shows simulated gear shifts for electric cars, this tech could be used in future performance models.

Hyundai uses simulated gear shifts with great effect in its Ioniq 5 N.

Toyota is also one of the many carmakers pouring resources into developing solid-state batteries.

These batteries are hyped as being smaller, more energy dense and less fire prone than current batteries.

Toyota may have been late to the electric car game, but it is now putting in the work.