Toyota launches the C+pod EV in Japan

Toyota Japan wants to finish off the year with a little something special. The Japanese brand has just launched a new micro-sized EV in the form of the C+Pod. It originally made its debut back in 2019 at the Tokyo Motor Show as a concept car as the “Ultra-Compact BEV” but now is a fully functional and production-ready model. 

Toyota states that the pint-sized EV aims to provide mobility in a small and compact form factor that is perfect for urban or even community level applications. The vehicle is so small that it measures in at 2490mm long, 1290mm wide, and 1550mm in height. This makes it even shorter and narrower than another popular compact vehicle the Smart ForTwo. With its compact form factor, the vehicle’s weight is also pretty impressive as it tips the scales at 1,520 pounds. Its lightweight design can be accredited to the used of plastic exterior panels along with other weight-saving features that help maximize its electric range. 

While the vehicle itself is small in terms of dimensions, it does still have enough room to have a two-seater capacity. This in turn makes the vehicle ideal for social distancing with the option of bringing another person with you as well as a few small items.

Powering the small C+Pod is a compact electric motor that utilizes a lithium-ion battery pack rated at 9.06kWh. This gives the compact EV an estimated range of 93 miles or 150 kilometers on one charge. While you won’t be going on long haul trips with the C+Pod it is ideal for commutes in or around the city. Don’t expect this EV to be fast, however, as its electric motor only pushes out 12.3hp and 56 Nm of torque which sends power to the rear wheels. Granted that the vehicle is on the lighter side of the weighing scale it can only manage a top speed of 60kph. Toyota has also not disclosed how fast the C+Pod will be able to recharge, however, given its estimated range we assume it will do so fairly quickly and in a matter of hours without a fast charger.

There is no word yet if Toyota has plans to sell this vehicle outside of its home country. However, it could be a possibility in 2021 or later for countries that already have an EV infrastructure in place.