2000 Toyota Townace Reviews

Hybrid power is now mainstream for Aussie buyers.  It's an important choice for buyers transitioning from petrol- and diesel-powered cars to full EVs.Hybrid-powered cars are also important for brands as they seeks alternatives to internal combustion cars that incur fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).There are broad categories of hybrid cars in Australia, and each one has its own benefits for buyers.Here's a look at what hybrids are available, and which one might suit you best.Mild hybrid power is the first stage of electrification for cars.Mild hybrid cars can't drive on EV power alone, because they only use a small, low-voltage battery (usually) 48-volt, with a less than 1kWh capacity.The electric motor usual powers certain electrical features and the starter motor.They don't need to be charged, but they also don't offer noticeably better fuel efficiency than standard petrol- and diesel-powered cars.The popular Toyota HiLux ute is available with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, while Suzuki and Renault offer mild hybrid set-ups on some of their models.Conventional hybrid, plug-less hybrid or self-charging hybrid cars are popular in Australia.The engine works seamlessly with a bigger electric motor to maximise fuel efficiency.A conventional hybrid usually runs on electric-only power at low speeds or for short distances when cruising at higher speeds. The engine will kick in at higher speeds or when more power is needed, blending petrol and electric power.This makes fuels efficiency in urban environments or star-stop traffic better than what a petrol- or diesel-powered car would achieve.The battery in a conventional hybrid is charged by the engine and from regenerative braking, meaning the car doesn't need to be plugged in.The conventional hybrid car's battery is smaller than those in plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars, and still requires a petrol engine to run.Toyota provides conventional hybrid set-ups on the vast majority of its Australian line-up, including its RAV4 SUV and Camry sedan.Other popular brands Kia, Hyundai and others also have affordable conventional hybrid variants on its popular models.Plug-in hybrids or PHEVs take hybrid power to the next level because they are equipped with a much larger battery and a more powerful electric motor set-up.PHEVs have a long electric-only driving range, with some capable of exceeding 200km, before the engine is needed to drive the wheels. Most new PHEVs have an EV range of at least 100km.This means daily commuters will rarely have to fill-up on fuel if they charge the battery every night.PHEVs also boast significant combined driving range as they have a regular sized fuel tank to power the engine, resulting in ranges of north of 1000km before the fuel tank and battery are depleted.Carmakers often claim PHEVs drink less than 2.0L/100km of fuel, but that requires owners to constantly charge their batteries and never let it deplete.Once the battery is depleted fuel use will skyrocket, as the small engine has to move around a heavy vehicle weighed down by the battery and electric motors.PHEVs suit a buyer with access to charging facilities, who also want outstanding fuel efficiency.Bigger Chinese vehicles usually employ PHEV set-ups, including the BYD Shark 6 ute and incoming Zeekr 8X and 9X.Range-extender hybrids, also known as Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV) or Extended-Range Electric vehicle (EREV), are gaining popularity globally.They are feature similar hardware to PHEVs, but work in a different way.The engine in a REEV's is used as a generator for charging the battery, and the wheels are driven by the electric motor, or motors, only.REEV's have an EV-sized battery that can also be plugged in to charge, giving these cars a driving range comfortably exceeding 1000km.Leapmotor's B10 and C10 SUVs use REEV set-ups in Australia, but the incoming Forthing Taikon 5 and the XPeng L03 will also employ the set-up when they hit showrooms.Nissan’s ‘e-Power’ hybrid system in the X-Trail and Qashqai SUVs employ REEV tech on a smaller scale, using the engine to power a small battery that powers the wheels, but this battery cannot be plugged in to charge.

If you’re an EV buyer in 2026, you need to know about this. The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has revealed the state of play for electric and plug-in hybrid cars in Australia in 2026. This is the 10th year of the ‘State of EVs’ report as more buyers bought EVs than ever before Down Under. The report analysed the 2025-26 financial year, and how buyer trends and infrastructure, among other things, have changed in that time. It called for several policy reforms, including targeted equity-based policy to assist economically-disadvantaged Aussies reap the benefits of EV driving.Australia’s charging landscape is diverse, it is also complex and fragmented and needs major investment, according to the report. In June 2026, there were 4268 public charging locations, which is 235 per cent more than June 2025There were 11,602 public charge points in June 2026, up 175 per cent compared to June 2025The EVC said there needs to be more research into how owners charge EVs and where they need them most. “Australia still needs substantial public charging investment, but the task is not as simple as just installing more fast chargers,” the report reads.  “Most charging happens where vehicles already park—at homes, apartment buildings, workplaces, destinations, kerbsides and depots.”The report calls for a nationally-coordinated charging roadmap and scaled infrastructure deployment.This news comes after NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury told CarsGuide in December 2025 Australia’s charging infrastructure was lagging behind. “We’re nowhere near. We’ve got nowhere near enough public charging,” NRMA spokesperson Khoury said. “There are lots of areas that don’t have energy that comes from outside the energy grid so you’ve got to create energy sources at those locations.”The EVC is calling for the government to implement a range of new rules in Australia. It wants a targeted equity-based policy to help all Australians use EVs and take advantage of the cost savings with EV adoption.The report states that EVs have lower running costs than petrol- and diesel-powered cars, with less maintenance, seeing a typical driver saving roughly $3000 per year. The EVC said this figure did not include the substantial increases to fuel prices in 2026, with savings calculated today even higher. It said the federal government needs to implement an updated New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) for cars sold beyond 2029 to align with 2035 emissions reduction targets. NVES is a set of emissions rules that imposes fines on cars sold that emit high levels of CO2 into the atmosphere. Developing a car takes a brand several years to complete, meaning carmakers need to know the rules these models will need to follow.It also said there should be a national road-user charge that does not deter EV uptake.This would differ from the current system proposed by the New South Wales government from 2027 that the EVC said would slow EV sales.The New South Wales government wants a road user charge to make up for lost fuel excise revenue and ensure all road users contribute to maintenance. The EVC found a fully-electric or PHEV car was bought every 100 seconds on average in the first half of 2026, with one in four new car sales using an electric powertrain.The report reads cost-of-living pressures, soaring fuel prices and greater EV choice has contributed to a sharp increase in electric car uptake in 2026. Fully-electric and PHEV sales accounted for 25.8 per cent of new car sales up to June 2026, increasing from 12.1 per cent up to June 2025There are 196 combined full EV and PHEV models on sale, compared to 153 models in 2025There were 157,957 electric and PHEV sales in H1 2026, up 177 per cent from H1 2025Australia’s EV uptake is now in line with the global average, according to the International Energy Agency“So, at a time when fuel prices are fluctuating and cost-of-living continues to bite, it’s no surprise that EVs have become a popular choice,” the report states. “As of June 2026, drivers have never had a greater choice of EVs in Australia.”Australia recently got its new cheapest electric car in the BYD Atto 1 that is being offered from $19,990 (drive-away) until December, 15 2026.

Toyota is already growing its popular RAV4 range as demand surges for plug-in hybrid tech.The Japanese giant has confirmed a new GXL two-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid (PHEV) grade will arrive next year to sit below the XSE 2WD in the soon to be four-tier line-up.Toyota’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas said the company was striving to expand its low emissions vehicle options in Australia to best suit customer needs“The mid-range GXL grade has long been a popular model in the RAV4 line-up and now with the addition of the PHEV powertrain option, it adds even more customer appeal,” Pappas said.All-wheel-drive versions of the RAV4 PHEV will get upgraded off-road ability, with the addition of new drive modes. Rock/Dirt and Mud/Sand will replace the Trail/Snow mode front the fourth quarter of this year.Toyota hasn’t confirmed prices yet for the GXL 2WD grade, but it will sit below the base XSE 2WD that starts at $58,840 (before on-road costs).A XSE costs about $7000 more than the GXL in the conventional hybrid RAV4, so by that logic the new GXL PHEV could start at about $52,000.2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV pricingAll RAV4 PHEVs use a 2.5-litre petrol engine that is paired with either one or two electric motors for front- or all-wheel drive.Front-wheel-drive versions make a combined 207kW and all-wheel-drive grades up the ante with 227kW.Fuel use is a claimed 0.7L/100km, but owners will need to be militant in keeping the circa-23kWh battery at a high level of charge to keep it operating in EV mode. The RAV4 PHEV has a claimed electric driving range of up to 121km in the 2WD grades and 113km in the heavier and more powerful AWD versions.The GXL comes standard with:Full LED lights18-inch alloy wheels8-way powered driver's seatSynthetic leather instrument panel and upper door trimLeather-accented steering wheel and gearshift knobSmart entry and startDual-zone climate controlAutomatic rain-sensing windscreen wipers12.3-inch digital instrument cluster10.5-inch touchscreen display with new-generation multimedia systemWireless phone charger2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV specifications

The first-generation Toyota C-HR was popular in Australia, however the second-generation model hasn’t yet lived up to its predecessor when it comes to sales.One of the main reasons is because the current C-HR, which launched in 2023, is considerably more expensive. This is primarily due to it being built in Turkiye, rather than Japan, which in turn attracts import tariffs.The 2026 Toyota C-HR line-up is currently priced as follows:C-HR GXL Hybrid: $46,940C-HR Koba Hybrid: $53,890C-HR GR Sport Hybrid: $58,890All prices are before on-road costsOn test here is the mid-spec Koba Hybrid with the optional two-tone paint and panoramic glass roof ($2700). This brings the as-tested price to $56,590, before on-road costs, or $62,107 drive-away in Victoria.This is a lot of money for a mid-spec, mainstream, small SUV. It’s considerably more expensive than the Hyundai Kona Hybrid, Honda HR-V Hybrid and even the larger and more practical Toyota Corolla Cross.At this price point it's even more expensive than the European Volkswagen T-Roc and is somewhat in line with the larger UK-sourced, hybrid-only Nissan Qashqai.Another reason why the current C-HR is more expensive is because it's hybrid only.In Koba form there is a 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain with a total system output of 103kW. This may sound mediocre, but around town there’s plenty of oomph.The majority of the low-speed driving is handled by the electric motor and it will occasionally dip into EV mode at highway and freeway speeds.Toyota claims the C-HR Koba consumes an average of 4.0L/100km, which is very low. Surprisingly, fuel figures like this are achievable in the real-world too. I saw as low as 3.7L/100km in the city and around 5.5L/100km on the freeway.There is a 43L fuel tank which allows for a theoretical total range of up to 1075km. A minimum of 91 RON regular unleaded petrol is required.While the C-HR is zippy in urban areas, building up speed requires it to engage the petrol engine more. There is enough power to make do, but the engine sound above 80km/h is coarse and unrefined.It’s not helped by the road and tyre noise that enters the cabin at higher speeds. Given the price tag this is disappointing, but many European rivals also suffer the same issue.Even though the hybrid engine’s performance isn’t awe-inspiring, the way the C-HR drives is. It’s built on Toyota’s TNGA-C platform which it shares with the current Corolla and Prius, among others.This small SUV is nimble and fun to drive, even in your everyday commute. There’s an element of the driving experience that is similar to the go kart-feel of a Mini Cooper.Even the suspension is compliant, though the large 19-inch alloy wheels transmit harsher bumps into the cabin. Thankfully as the car is so small, you can typically dodge big potholes.Unlike many new-generation cars, this version of the C-HR is actually 30mm shorter than the original. However, it’s 37mm wider, allowing for more shoulder-to-shoulder passenger space.The exterior design looks sophisticated and upmarket for Toyota, however the flush door handles are a faff to use. Interestingly though, there’s no rear wiper, which is annoying.Inside there is a lovely cockpit feel with all the key touchpoints within easy reach of the driver. The front seats also have a sporty look and hug you in nicely.The second row clearly isn’t the main focus, but compared to the original C-HR it's not as claustrophobic. However, amenities are extremely limited. There’s only a single cupholder on each door. No rear air vents, no centre armrest.There is 388L of boot space with the rear seats upright, which doesn’t sound amazing on paper, but in practice it’s decent.The current Toyota C-HR Koba has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2024.The following safety equipment is standard:10 airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane-keep assistAdaptive cruise controlDriver attention monitoringSurround-view cameraFront and rear parking sensorsSemi-autonomous parking assistThe C-HR is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km. Servicing at Toyota dealers also allows the driveline and battery warranty to be extended out to seven and 10 years, respectively.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $275 each, which is competitive for the segment.

You have to feel for the good folks at Toyota. The executive team spends years downplaying EVs for Australia – suggesting they’re not the right fit for most Australians, are too expensive, and can’t do all the things ICE engines can do – and then they have to go and bloody launch one.I was at the launch of the bZ4X in 2024, the brand’s first-ever EV, and so was on hand to see the spectacular verbal gymnastics on display.One of the brand’s then-most senior executives had described EVs as “impractical”, suggested that “hybrids can have a greater impact than full electrification”, and – if you go back as far as 2019 – said he had no plans to launch EVs in Australia at all."I always get concerned when pure electric vehicles turn up at fairly big prices, and people instantly think people will buy them and they'll take off," Toyota’s then VP of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley told me back then."But if there's one thing I've learned on the hybrid journey it's that they have to be affordable. I get frustrated when people say electrification isn't being taken up in Australia as quickly as it should be. Well, who is going to buy these small cars for $50,000?"And then here we were, launching the bZ4X — the brand's big push into the EV space — which started at a cool $66,000.And yes, there was other stuff holding the Toyota back. It was probably too expensive, it didn’t travel far enough on a single charge, and it arrived at a time when Chinese EVs were turning up offering more for less, increasing competition in our market seemingly daily.But surely at least part of its sluggish sales performance (in 2025 the brand shifted 1041 examples, compared to the Tesla Model Y’s 22,239 sales) is down to the fact that Toyota had spent so long telling its customers to ignore EVs, right before trying to sell them one?The good news for Toyota is that the tide is now slowly turning. This new and improved bZ4X is finding new buyers, with the brand already doubling its 2025 total over the first seven months of 2026. The brand is investing in advertising to increase awareness, and its EV fleet is growing.The Touring (or wagon) version of the bZ4X has already arrived, and the electric CH-R will arrive next year, too. Also here, but less relevant, is the Toyota HiLux BEV, which is aimed fairly squarely at mining companies, but you can in fact buy one if you really want to.“The (new) bZ4X is, from a value point of view, compared to the previous one, you can see that sort of step up. And the bZ was doing really well even before the sort of fuel crisis spike of demand,” Toyota’s new VP of sales and marketing, John Pappas, told me at the launch of the Touring.“Now what we're seeing is, we just launched bZ4X Touring, we're already seeing that the normal increased run rate of the bZ with the Touring has literally doubled the run rate of the family.“So that's a really good step for us, right? Now, into the future, yes we've got the Hilux BEV as well, but next year we're bringing the C-HR in a BEV in the middle of 2027.”Toyota has another ace up its sleeve, too. There is no other brand, and certainly no newcomer, that can offer the depth of coverage Toyota does from a dealership perspective. Trust is important when you’re dropping big money on a new car, and Toyota has a ton of it.Don’t rule Toyota out of the EV game yet. It has a heap of work to do to chase down its rivals in the space, but the brand appears to be at last beginning to take that challenge seriously.If you’ve read any of my long-term dispatches on the bZ4X you’ll know that I think it has the goods to take on Tesla and BYD in the electric SUV space.Now Toyota just has to convince its customers that it cares about EVs in the same way it cares about hybrids.

EV prices are at an all-time low for Aussie buyers. The BYD Atto 1 is available from $19,990 (drive-away) until 15 December 2026, making it the most affordable new car on sale in Australia. This makes it cheaper than the petrol-powered Kia Picanto hatch that previously held the title.While the Kia Picanto’s retail $19,190 price is lower, this does not include on-road costs that push its drive-away cost in excess of the $20,000 mark.Other budget-focused players are also gathering steam like the Geely EX2 ($26,490), MG4 Urban (from $29,990 as a limited offer) and the incoming GAC Aion UT Standard Range.It's not just affordable EVs getting cheaper, SUV segments aren't far behind.Fuel prices have driven EV demand, but government rules are having a different sort of impact. The Australian federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has brands seriously thinking about what models they introduce to the market Down Under. This is because cars sold that emit high levels of CO2 now incur significant fines, and count towards each brand's fleet total.Pure combustion cars, whether they are petrol or diesel powered, generally fall foul of emissions regulations which has seen brands remove those models from their line-up in favour of hybrid or fully-electric alternatives. Head of the EV Council and Origin Energy E-mobility GM Chau Le told CarsGuide NVES was driving competitive pricing for electric vehicles in Australia. “Thanks to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, we now have over 100 EV models in Australia and across quite a number of segments from affordable, smaller cars all the way to larger SUVs,” Le said. “In each of these segments, EVs are becoming competitive, but we're not quite there yet in some of the segments. “We're still a bit out, but with more EV models coming in and improvement in battery technology, it's only a matter of time until we're competitive across all segments.”Kia Australia’s General Manager Marketing Dean Norbiato told CarsGuide in May 2026 the Korean brand was pivoting its popular Seltos SUV to hybrid-only due to potential NVES fines. The outgoing Seltos SUV is sold in Australia with both petrol- and hybrid-powered set-ups. “You just have to look at the penalties for NVES on a petrol vehicle versus a hybrid vehicle," Norbiato said. “For us to be a sustainable OEM in this market, hybrid obviously makes sense from that standpoint.”Kia's sister brand, Hyundai, has also signalled its intent to switch much of its incoming range of next-generation vehicles to hybrid-only.Expanding EV options doesn't automatically boost buyer demand, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Chief Executive Tony Weber. “The impact it has had has been on the supply of vehicles. And we now are in a market in Australia where there's 132 EVs on sale in the country, and there's 80 plug-in hybrid models,” Weber told CarsGuide. “What NVES doesn't do is address the demand issue. And therein lies the challenge for the industry.”Electric car sales are not surging in all areas of the market, and the ute segment is still dominated by diesel-powered options.  The popular Ford Ranger had a slow August 2026 due to an ongoing recall preventing deliveries. It was still the sixth best-selling car in the country, while the Toyota HiLux held a place in the top three. The plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 has been a game-changer for the segment in Australia, and it has been one of the few utes to see sales growth in the last 12 months. Even though the Shark 6’s sales have grown significantly, buyers are still primarily choosing diesel options. BYD’s ute has sold only roughly a third of the units compared to the Ranger in 2026. Weber said demand is not driven by NVES, but external factors like the price of petrol and the subsidisation of EVs.He said the technology needs to be available before buyers make the jump.“Now, you can argue, and quite rightly, that NVES has had an impact, say in the ute market, because we're now seeing plug-in hybrids,” Weber said. “The question I have is whether those products would have come to the market anyway, because what also drives change in markets is competition."I think people will buy the car that meets their needs and wants and until the technology can actually satisfy those people in those segments, that will limit what they buy. “This is one of the great barriers as we move forward on that pathway to zero-emission vehicles.”Electric cars outsold petrol- and diesel-powered cars for the first time in a single month in August 2026.The SUV segment has been the latest to see a surge in EV sales, with three of the top 10 for August 2026 being fully-electric. SUVs show how technology reaches an enticing level to boost buyer demand. Many models now boast driving range exceeding 450km and there are now three-row options at more price points. Utes remain a difficult segment for fully electrics to crack, with towing and driving range key aspects of a buyer’s decision.  The BYD Shark 6 initially launched with a 2500kg braked towing capacity - short of the industry standard 3500kg. BYD has since introduced a performance grade that reaches the 3500kg, but it is the most expensive in the range, starting from $62,900. The Toyota HiLux BEV launched in May 2026. It only offers a 240km (WLTP) driving range and a 2000kg towing capacity, despite being the most expensive variant in the range ($74,990).The recently-revealed MG U9 will launch in Australia the fourth quarter of 2026 with a 3500kg towing capacity and 430km driving range, but it carries a $78,990 price tag.It costs buyers noticeably more money to drive out of the showroom with an electric ute than a diesel-powered one.As technology improves and demand picks up, this gap will shrink. 

Toyota has launched the first full-electric version of its iconic HiLux workhorse, but does it offer the right mix of price and practicality to be a realistic alternative to its diesel stablemates?

Toyota is about to change up its hybrid plans with confirmation that it will begin producing range-extender hybrid electric vehicles (REEV), but it may not be for the reason you think.Starting in the first quarter of 2027, Toyota will start building extended-range hybrids for the first time. The vehicles will be produced in China with Toyota predicting it will build 200,000 next year before increasing to 400,000 units in 2028.The move to build range-extender hybrids signals a significant shift for Toyota. The reasons behind the plan don't have much to do with Australia, but we could benefit from it.A range-extender hybrid uses a small petrol engine to charge the battery which powers electric motors. Basically, it's an electric vehicle with an onboard petrol generator.The main hybrid system Toyota uses is a series-parallel hybrid with a petrol engine and electric motor, both capable of driving the wheels independently of each other or together.The Toyota RAV4, Camry, Kluger and Corolla Cross all use a series-parallel hybrid systemToyota also makes plug-in hybrids, but in smaller numbers.So, here’s the kicker. Toyota is making range-extender hybrids so it can better compete against rival carmakers in China.China is going through a tumultuous time with fiercely competitive EV pricing as petrol cars fall out of favour. Hybrids, especially REEVs, are being pushed by China’s government as a way to diffuse the EV price war and allay concerns about available charging infrastructure. The incentives for buying range extenders are also designed to promote the take-up of these vehicles.REEVs are excellent for fuel economy and Nissan uses similar technology in models such as the X-Trail and Qashqai, but will it come to a Toyota RAV4 soon? The answer is no, not unless it has to in order to compete with REEV rivals in Australia.Toyota has so much invested in its series-parallel hybrid systems and such huge market dominance that it’s difficult to see how another hybrid will offer any kind of return on the effort to launch it.If fuel prices continue to fluctuate, Toyota could well change its tune.There are currently a limited number of REEVs available in Australia and this includes the Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai, Leapmotor's C10 and B10 REEV and the freshly launched Forthing 5.Hyundai is expected to launch a REEV variant of the Santa Fe SUV next year.

Toyota’s recently-appointed CEO has detailed cost-cutting measures Toyota will resort to in order to reduce the break-even point of its model range in a new interview.Speaking to industry source Automotive News, CEO Kenta Kon explained the company would be targeting items as small as doorhandles and seat designs so new models can pay for themselves sooner.“Breakeven volume is a very important key performance indicator for us but what we’re seeing now is an upward trend of the breakeven volume. We have to bring it into a downward trend,” he told Automotive News.Toyota’s profit margins have been slashed since 2024, and Kon is expected to draw on his experience trimming Toyota’s overheads during the global financial crisis to help the brand recover.He said the brand would be targeting the “wide variety and number of parts” across the millions of vehicles the company builds each year.According to the publication, these changes will affect such things as doorhandles, headrests, wing mirrors, and material choices throughout the cabin of the brand’s range.This cumulative improvement is part of Kenta Kon’s wider strategy to lean back on Toyota’s Japanese philosophical manufacturing principles to keep the company sustainable.Not only will this mean cost reduction through the Kaizen mindset of continuous improvement, but Kon also spends a significant amount of time visiting front-line factory locations (genba) specifically to hear about efficiency roadblocks from staff, according to Toyota’s own in-house publication Toyota Times.  He is also known to send senior office staff like accountants on similar trips so that they can truly understand the inner workings of Toyota.“People in certain areas already have this awareness of what needs improvement but there might be mechanisms that hinder it. I support them to clear those obstacles,” he told Automotive News.It is part of a sweeping array of behind-the-scenes changes for the brand which are designed to be less noticeable for the end consumer compared to the more drastic strategies being implemented by other automakers around the world.Nissan and Volkswagen, for example, have been forced to consolidate their manufacturing footprints with widely-publicised factory closures, axing significant numbers of employees, and completely overhauling model ranges. They must do so as they face an existential threat from unprecedented levels of new competition from China, increasing trade barriers around the world, and a higher-inflation environment.Other strategies recently implemented by Toyota include plans to increase revenue through new in-car software subscriptions (which the brand expects to be worth up to A$26.7 billion) and a plan to increase the amount of recycled materials used in its cars to up to 30 per cent.It is also working on implementing next-generation manufacturing techniques with its joint-venture partners in China.Expected to underpin a new Lexus model in the near future, the brand has invested in gigacasting techniques which reduces weight, cost, and complexity in electric vehicles.It also represents a shift for the brand in developing new manufacturing techniques outside of Japan.The first vehicle using this technology is expected to debut in 2028.

There will soon be a Toyota HiLux for everyone.The Japanese brand has revealed details of its new hydrogen-powered HiLux, which will join the diesel and battery electric versions already on sale.The new Toyota HiLux hydrogen fuel-cell ute will go on sale in Europe in 2028. Toyota Australia has previously confirmed to CarsGuide the hydrogen HiLux will go on sale in Australia the same year.Toyota Europe claims the new hydrogen HiLux, dubbed HiLux FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), will have a targeted driving range of 400km and be able to tow 2500kg. Toyota will fine tune the hydrogen HiLux at next year's Dakar Rally, where the company will race a vehicle based on the gas-powered ute.Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are another form of electric vehicle. Instead of using a battery with stored energy to power electric motors, they convert hydrogen into electricity to power the motors.Hydrogen is stored in a pressurised tank and is mixed with air, and then is pumped into the fuel cell, where a chemical reaction occurs that creates electricity and water. The electricity is stored in a small battery, which powers the electric motors that drive the wheels.The water is expelled out the tailpipe.Toyota is working on a new fuel cell to fit to trucks that would deliver the same grunt as a diesel motor.Hydrogen is the most abundant element on earth and fuel-cell vehicles don’t require an enormous battery that are made up of critical minerals. In theory this makes them cheaper.Hydrogen is extremely energy intensive to isolate, which means unless you use green energy it is not very clean, despite the lack of tailpipe emissions.There is barely any infrastructure for hydrogen cars to fill up in Australia, which means an entire network needs to be created. But they can be refilled in about five minutes, which is much quicker than a battery electric vehicle can recharge.Hydrogen is often seen as the answer to heavy vehicles rather than passenger cars. An electric semi-trailer would require an enormous battery to allow it to haul its load, but FCEV tech is seen as the answer because it is lighter and can be refilled faster.It would be easier to install hydrogen refuelling infrastructure along major highways, ports and industrial areas than roll out an urban network.