Mobility is certainly taking on new and exciting paths, yet it’s comforting to see that many of these new ideas still involve cars. At the recent Japan Mobility Show, Toyota presented some exciting battery electric vehicles that are hoped to inject some excitement into our daily drives.

Land Cruiser Se

Any news about Land Cruisers is always exciting. Just a few months after releasing news of the Land Cruiser 250, Toyota gives us a glimpse of what it could look and drive like a few years down the line. That vision is realized in the Land Cruiser Se.

The Land Cruiser Se upholds its reputation for boxy styling with its practically polygonal yet elegant, stylish design. This concept imagines what the Land Cruiser could become were it to be electrified. As expected, it is intended to offer high-torque driving performance unique to BEVs. Unlike the current crop of land cruisers built with a body on ladder frame chassis, this iteration will sport a monocoque body to offers highly responsive handling and confidence in tackling rough terrain. Toyota hopes to further broadens the Land Cruiser brand's appeal with this three-row SUV that caters to the world's diverse needs. BEV quietness helps create a comfortable cabin space when driving in urban areas and other on-road situations.

Granted it will be one that’s more at home on city streets. Yet if the current crop of Land Cruiser models are anything to go by, there will likely be a more rugged electric version conceived too.

EPU

The Hilux continues to grow in size and ruggedness. That thankfully creates a new niche for a next-generation mid-size pickup to flourish in. That’s the idea behind the EPU truck concept; built with a monocoque body to deliver high durability while still creating a practical yet stylish BEV. At just over 5 meters long with a double cab design, the EPU's monocoque structure also allows for a versatile deck space that caters to a broader range of user applications.

The rear of the cabin links with the deck to accommodate even longer cargo into part of the cabin. This makes it perfect for a wide range of lifestyles, including outdoor activities like surfing or camping.

It’s powered by a battery electric system, therefore returning a quiet ride. The batteries will be mounted on the floor, giving it a low center of gravity for superior handling stability and ride comfort.

JUU

Toyota is well aware of the challenges that the handicapped may face. As such, this electric wheelchair was designed to offer the freedom to travel anywhere unassisted. The JUU expands the user's world by enabling them to freely navigate places that are difficult to access by electric or regular wheelchairs.

When climbing or descending a stairway, the two large powered main wheels traverse the steps, while the retractable tail flips down from behind the backrest to prevent tipping and stabilize the wheelchair. The JUU automatically maintains an optimal posture and can negotiate steps up to 16 cm tall.

This made possible by a drive system that employs motors used in cars. Utilizing automotive components ensures high quality and reliability, as well as the power to overcome tougher obstacles.

Toyota is also exploring advanced functions that would enable the JUU to autonomously move and load itself into the rear of a car after the user has boarded the vehicle, and return to the driver's seat when the user wants to alight from the vehicle.

Electrification is exciting

These concepts exhibited by Toyota prove that the future of cars using battery electric propulsion systems can still be quite exciting. The compact nature of batteries allows them to be hidden into the vehicle’s structure which benefits both interior space, and performance. In addition, the instant torque of electric motors makes these vehicles incredibly responsive to match.