Europe-focused Lexus UX 300e will get an even bigger battery, extra vary

The Lexus UX 300e went on sale in Europe two years in the past as the luxurious model’s first EV. It is now getting an even bigger battery pack and extra vary—however nonetheless will not be obtainable in the US.

The battery-pack measurement will increase from 54.3 kwh to 72.8 kwh, whereas vary will increase from 196 miles to 280 miles with 17-inch wheels and 273 miles with 18-inch wheels. All vary figures are primarily based on Europe’s WLTP testing cycle, so comparable EPA vary figures could be a bit decrease.

These figures work out to a 34% improve in battery-pack measurement, however 40% extra vary—so Lexus could also be studying some classes about EV effectivity and making enhancements.

It is also value noting that 72.8 kwh is identical capability because the pack that goes into all-wheel drive variations of the Lexus RZ—the model’s first EV for the U.S. That pack makes use of cells from Chinese language provider CATL.

Lexus opted to attend for the launch of the RZ, which is said to the Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra, reasonably than importing the UX 300e to the U.S. It solely sells gasoline and hybrid variations of the U.S. on this market.

The UX 300e appears to have been designed primarily for the European market. Since its launch in 2020, greater than half of the roughly 10,000 automobiles offered have gone to Europe, in accordance with Lexus. The up to date UX 300e goes on sale in Europe in Could 2023.

Lexus has been overlaying the UX 300e battery for 10 years or 1,000,000 kilometers—which seems to be a bait for some drivers to actually put the automotive’s thermal techniques and cells to the take a look at.

Relating to future EV plans, Lexus earlier this 12 months stated {that a} next-generation EV structure could have an 800-volt electrical system. And again within the U.S., executives instructed Inexperienced Automobile Stories final 12 months that Toyota EVs will emphasize effectivity, not vary, whereas Lexus EVs will push for efficiency and vary (and supply greater batteries).