Although Toyota and Lexus are only slowly entering the EV market, a new Lexus LF-ZC concept car crossed the state at Japan’s Mobility Show.

The new LF-ZC is a four-door luxury car that should be the foundation for a new model launching in 2026 wearing the same name. The letters of the name all stand for something, making this car the Lexus Future Zero-emissions Catalyst. The concept model showed a low roofline, a long windshield, and a shape that mimics the Toyota Prius. The new Lexus EV concept and the LF-ZC are nearly the same length as well, with the Lexus model measuring 187 inches compared to the 181.1 for the Prius.

Could this Lexus be a useful EV?

One of the key components of the new LF-ZC is the drag coefficient of 0.2, which makes this car one of the most aerodynamic models in the entire world. This result is better than the Tesla Model S, which has a drag coefficient of 0.208.

The new LF-ZC is only one of the new EV models from the Toyota luxury brand waiting for the new set of prismatic batteries that will provide nearly twice the range of conventional EVs. These new prismatic batteries are lighter and more energy-dense than current batteries. These new models could be the bridge between today’s batteries and solid-state batteries of the future.

New Lexus tech on display

In addition to the new Lexus EV architecture on display in the Lexus LF-ZC, this concept car displayed a new software platform called Arene OS. This new system handles the advanced safety features and over-the-air updates. The system also runs the new multimedia infotainment package which is shown through several new screens in this Lexus sedan.

These new screens include one in front of the passenger, a central screen for the driver, an instrument panel behind the steering yoke, and a heads-up display. This Lexus EV concept also uses the advanced steer-by-wire system and a yoke to avoid full, hand-over-hand turning required by traditional steering systems.

Drivers can activate an AI-powered system using voice commands. This system provides directions and adjusts the drive model based on how the driver wants to experience their time on the road.

A second Lexus EV concept was on display

The Japan Mobility Show featured another new Lexus EV, called the LF-ZL, which is meant for a “guilt-free luxury lifestyle,” according to brand representatives. This EV concept is made for owners who will spend more time in the rear seat than behind the wheel. This makes the LF-ZL an ultra-luxury vehicle that could easily be the future of driving excellence on the road.

The LF-ZL offers an easy entry into the rear using sliding doors, much like a minivan. While on the road, passengers can use the Interactive Reality in Motion feature, which responds when passengers point around to objects and places.
As expected of many modern EVs, this new Lexus concept uses a lot of sustainable materials including bamboo, giving the vehicle a more eco-friendly feel.

Is Toyota ready to take the EV plunge?

Toyota has been dragging its feet behind most other automakers when it comes to offering electric vehicles in its lineup. In today’s market, Toyota has the bZ4X, and Lexus has the RX 450e. Will the new Lexus LF-ZC be good enough to change things and allow the two brands to begin offering a full lineup of electric vehicles to the world? We haven’t heard anything that tells us these two brands will jump in the deep end of the EV pool yet, but with the new battery technology, it’s more of a possibility than ever before.

Although Lexus presents us with these two impressive concept models, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has recently stated the company intends to continue investing heavily in hybrid powertrains before making a deep dive into fully electric vehicles. Over the past few years, the Toyota lineup has changed to embrace hybrid powertrains in almost all vehicles. The Lexus lineup has similar changes, with most SUVs powered by hybrid systems across the board. Toyota is deeply invested in hybrid technology but has been working on the next levels of EV battery tech as well.

Could these concepts appear before 2026?

Most likely, the Lexus LF-ZC and LF-ZL won’t arrive until at least 2026, and that’s provided the new prismatic battery packs are available at that time. If the development of these batteries isn’t complete, don’t expect Lexus or Toyota to offer more EVs; these two brands are taking a slow and calculated approach to EV development.