Toyota and BYD are producing an EV with 268 horsepower and up to 391 miles of range for less than $18,000. The problem is, it\u2019s not for sale in the United States.<\/p>\n
The cut-price Toyota bZ5 was built for the Chinese market. It\u2019s built on the e-TNGA platform, a joint venture between Toyota and fellow Japanese manufacturer Subaru. Which means you may see shades of it in the upcoming electric Highlander<\/a> and the Subaru Getaway.<\/a><\/p>\n BYD is supplying the battery, which may be a contributing factor when it comes to the competitive range and low cost. That battery will allegedly charge from 30% to 80% in under half an hour.<\/p>\n Despite the low price, the vehicle comes with a good amount of tech. Apparently Toyota\u2019s Pilot L2+ semi-autonomous driving is included, along with a LiDAR sensor. Which not every manufacturer installs on their semi-autonomous vehicles. Infotainment centers around a 15.6 inch touchscreen.<\/p>\n Of course, the US has its own version of the bZ, though it looks like a rougher deal. The American version of the BV does have more horsepower, with up to 315 on the top trim, though the base model only has 168. It lacks in range compared to its Chinese counterpart, with a full charge getting you 314 miles at best. It also starts at $36,350, around double the price of the Chinese version. But is there a chance that the US could get the half-price, stripped-down, Chinese model?<\/p>\n We live in strange times, with government policy seemingly changing on a whim and Ford of all companies<\/a> calling for closer ties with the Chinese automotive industry. However, despite all of this, it\u2019s unlikely we\u2019ll see the cheaper Toyota bZ5 on US shores<\/p>\nWill we ever see a cheap Toyota bZ5 in the US?<\/h2>\n