Brand boss says current-generation battery tech limits appeal.
Lexus president Yoshihiro Sawa had a lot to say during the international press drive of the Lexus LS limousine, which was recently held at Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas’ working film ranch, in California. For a company that has traditionally tread cautiously on the subject of new technology and generally errs on the side of conservative, it was inevitable that given the chance, someone would ask why Lexus appears to be dragging its feet on the subject of electrified vehicles.
While many people share the opinion that Lexus appears to be sticking to internal-combustion rather stubbornly, it’s worth keeping in mind that Lexus made one of the most committed and extensive moves in favour of petrol-electric hybrid powertrains, with the company offering many of its products with a hybrid option, and going as far as to offer two models exclusively with a petrol-electric combination. So why wouldn’t this company, already familiar with the technology and complexity of electric propulsion (to a degree), not want to pave the way for next-generation electric vehicles?
Sawa said to the Detroit Bureau that with present battery technology, “not many people will accept” the limitations that come with electric cars just yet, preferring internal-combustion transportation for the time being. While cars like the Tesla Model 3 continue to rack up record bookings, it appears that Lexus wants its battery-electric cars to have a clearer focus on longevity rather than simply jumping on what’s trending. For Lexus, and parent company Toyota, being late to the party is entirely acceptable, provided that the delayed-entry is backed up by groundbreaking technology that can easily outdo its peers.
The technology that the Japanese automotive giant presently has its hopes pinned on are solid-state batteries, which are capable of delivering better range, shorter charging times, and greater longevity when they become commercially viable. The matter of charging times is a particular bugbear with conventional motorists, who are naturally hesitant about the idea of being stranded for 8-hours when their battery goes flat.
On that subject, we have carried previous reports stating Toyota’s intent to bring an all-new electric vehicle to market by 2021, as part of a joint-venture with ‘ZoomZoom’ brand Mazda, which will eventually be produced somewhere in the US. The product(s) of that joint venture will, they claim, pack solid-state battery tech, which should be able to trounce the competition when it reaches the market.
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