The origin of the Toyota iQ electric prototype, which was unveiled to the public at the Geneva motor show in 2011, had its roots in an electric vehicle research and development programme that Toyota began 40 years ago.
The Toyota iQ electric was very much a prototype, albeit one unmistakably based on the petrol-powered iQ, a vehicle already famed for its low emissions and fuel efficiency. It was designed to address key issues surrounding the production of all-electric vehicles for emissions-free urban mobility. At the time, these included driving range, performance and battery technology.
Read our full history of the Toyota iQ city car here.
Why choose an iQ as the basis for an electric vehicle? The city car’s compact size and its innovative design and packaging had already helped it demonstrate its essentially urban-friendly driving character. The introduction of an all-electric powertrain, with zero tailpipe emissions, made it an even stronger proposition, delivering silent driving in a car with room for four on board.
A 47kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor drove the front wheels of the Toyota iQ electric, powered by an 11kWh, 270V lithium-ion battery located beneath the seats. Clever use of a new, flat battery design, occupying space usually taken up by iQ’s flat fuel tank, meant there was no impact on the room available for passengers or load-carrying.
The Toyota iQ electric prototype could accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 14 seconds, had a top speed of 78mph and could cover up to 65 miles on a full charge. Two charging sockets were provided at the front of the vehicle for 100/200V AC and quick-charge DC power. They allowed a full battery recharge from a 200V supply in four hours, and an 80 per cent charge from a DC quick charge station in about 15 minutes.
Following the reveal of the Toyota iQ electric, trials began in Europe, the USA and Japan later in 2011. The vehicle was never subsequently offered for sale to customers in the European market, although a handful did appear on roads in the USA and Japan.
The details of this article were correct at the time of publication in 2011.
HI
How much will it cost?
Will it be able to cope with icy back lanes?
Hi Sue,
The iQ EV Prototype is currently still being developed, and therefore we don’t have any information on price or performance. But as soon as we have more information we will post it here on the blog.
Thanks for your question.
Hi Toyota,
I’m in the market for London commute small electric car. I am consider the Renault Zoe or the Smart Fortwo ED. I will buy this IQ EV if it come to the UK next year because I own a Toyota Prius and I love Toyota product as well as the service. However your announcement recently this EV is due next year is in the US not in the UK. Can you give me an definite anwser whether this car is coming to the UK or not.
Many thanks.
Hi Toyota,
Having had Toyota IQ (automatic) for last 2 years and please with its results we bought another Toyota last month. We went for Avensis Tourer this time for family use outside city. I have recently installed Solar pannels I would be keen to get my hands on Electric version of IQ which would be powered by electricity generated- effectively ZERO running cost.
I am happy to be contacted for any tests/ feedback and would like to enrole myself future sales.
Hello Dr. Atul,
Thanks very much for your interest in testing the iQ EV prototype. We currently don’t have any further information about a trial programme but as soon as we have any new information we will let you know. It’s also great to hear that you’ve installed solar panels at home – have you seen our solar installation at our factory in Burnaston?
Hey Mr Pang, I & my husband would happily volunteer 🤚🏻to test out an IQ EV in a big city if your company were looking at reintroducing the IQ EV model to the market in the UK. We live in London, what better city to do your IQ EV trials in 😉 🚗
Any news on when/if the ev prototype will be coming to market?
Hi Brian
At the moment there have been no further updates regarding the IQ EV, the last news report we have is from the Tokyo Motor Show here http://ow.ly/ablOS. We’ll continue to update you when we receive further news, thanks for getting in touch.
WHERE CAN I BAY
TOYOTA IQ EV
Hi Ellen
Thanks for your post.
This EV is still a concept at the moment so not on sale just yet. Do stay tuned to our Blog for the latest news.
Hi,
Any news about IQ electric?
Thanks
Hi Amber, thanks for your comment.
We have no information on a new iQ at the moment. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for all of the latest model updates.
Thanks
any news on when a toyota electric car is coming to the uk or can u inport one from japan
Hi Roy,
The Toyota bZ4X is the latest all-electric SUV in our range.
You can check out the bZ4X here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/bz4x/
Thanks.
Hi Toyota UK!
Will you have something smaller or more sedan-ish?
Sincerely, Robert
Hi Robert,
You can take a look at our full EV concept line up here – https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-unveils-full-global-electric-vehicle-line-up/.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Hello. So still nothing as small as the IQ? At the moment I think it could make sense to get a small, efficient BEV for commuting (18 miles each way; prefer to be able to do at least two days … in all weathers) and keep the Prius for long and family journeys. When the Prius is done (some way off yet, hopefully) I could then get a single Prius-sized (no bigger) BEV. That’s current thinking.
Hey Toyota, you were well ahead of your time with this EV vehicle probably too early for this to take off. Now the EV Market has taken off any chance you guys could re-look at reintroducing this fabulous little city car to the market. I have an original petrol IQ (now 14yrs old & still going strong), I (and many other IQ owners is guess) would absolutely look to upgrade to an EV IQ if I were to replace my IQ. PLEASE CONSIDER re marketing & BRING THIS FAB CITY CAR back to the UK 🇬🇧 You might just find it’ll work this time 😎
Hi, thanks for your comment.
We are pleased to hear of your fondness for the Toyota iQ!
Our team love to hear recommendations from customers and this will be passed on.
Thanks.
Absolutely.
I have a 1.3 litre IQ, great car. In my opinion an all electric version of this car would be popular with buyers now. The IQ fits into most garages and parking spaces easily, great around cities and still looks fresh despite being designed back in 2008.