(October 6, 2009) Toyota like Honda remains publicly committed to fuel cell electric vehicles as the best long-term solution to zero emissions transportation. However, the near term realities of having to supply something that fits within existing infrastructure means that plug-in vehicles will be required.

Like Mitsubishi with its production i-MiEV and Honda with its EV-N concept that will shown in Tokyo, Toyota sees small urban vehicles as the best application for battery electric vehicles given the limited range and high cost. Toyota showed a battery powered version of the iQ micro-car at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit dubbed the FT-EV.

The new FT-EV II goes beyond that car with even more compact dimensions. The FT-EV II claims to retain 4 passenger seating in body 10 inches shorter with four inches less wheelbase. The concept takes advantage of the more compact electric drive system to retain interior volume. This is also aided by a full drive by wire joystick control system that eliminates the pedals and steering wheel. The concept gets power sliding doors on both sides for easier access.

The lithium ion battery provides a nominal range of 55 miles on a full charge with a top speed of 62 mph. The electric drive system uses controls technology from Toyota's production hybrid vehicles to help smooth out the performance.

Toyota has acknowledged that it will likely need battery electric vehicles on sale in the coming years in order to meet ZEV mandates in California. The company would prefer to offer fuel cell vehicles but the lack of a fueling network will limit the numbers of those vehicles that it can sell. As a result something like the FT-EV II along with plug-in hybrid Priuses will have to make up the difference.