Toyota's current and upcoming electric trucks

Toyota does not yet sell a fully electric pickup truck in the United States, but the company has announced plans to build one. The bZ4X is Toyota's electric SUV available now, and while it is not a truck, it shows what Toyota's electric vehicle technology looks like. Toyota has stated it will introduce an electric pickup truck, but as of now there is no confirmed release date or official name for that vehicle in the U.S. market.

Toyota has been slower than some competitors to move into electric trucks. Ford offers the F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet offers the Silverado EV, and Rivian makes the R1T — all are electric pickups you can buy today. Toyota's approach has focused first on hybrid trucks (like the Tundra Hybrid) and electric SUVs before moving to electric pickups.

If you are looking for an electric truck from Toyota right now, your only option is to wait for announcements about timing and pricing. If you need an electric truck today, you would need to consider other manufacturers.

Key Takeaways

  • Toyota has not released an electric pickup truck in the United States yet, though the company has confirmed plans to build one.
  • The bZ4X is Toyota's current electric vehicle offering, an SUV that shows the company's electric technology but is not a truck.
  • Toyota currently offers hybrid versions of its Tundra and Tacoma trucks, which combine a gas engine with electric motors but are not fully electric.
  • Other manufacturers including Ford, Chevrolet, and Rivian already sell electric pickup trucks if you need one before Toyota's model arrives.

The bZ4X: Toyota's electric SUV today

The bZ4X is a mid-size electric SUV that Toyota began selling in 2023. It comes in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. The front-wheel-drive model has a range of around 228 miles per charge, while the all-wheel-drive version has a range of around 228 miles as well, though exact range depends on driving conditions and how you drive.

The bZ4X starts at a lower price point than many competing electric SUVs, which is why some people consider it when shopping for an affordable electric vehicle. It uses Toyota's battery technology and charging system, which the company will likely carry over to its future electric truck.

The bZ4X is not a truck — it does not have a truck bed or the towing capacity of a pickup. But if you are interested in Toyota's approach to electric vehicles and want to see what their engineering looks like, the bZ4X is the product you can examine and test drive today at Toyota dealerships.

Toyota's hybrid trucks: the bridge between gas and electric

While waiting for a fully electric truck, Toyota offers hybrid versions of its popular Tundra and Tacoma pickups. A hybrid truck uses both a gas engine and an electric motor, switching between them or using both together depending on driving conditions. Hybrid trucks are not fully electric, but they use less fuel than traditional gas trucks.

The Tundra Hybrid and Tacoma Hybrid are available now at Toyota dealerships. They offer better fuel economy than their gas-only counterparts, though they cost more upfront. The tradeoff is that you still need to fill up with gasoline, but you do it less often.

Some people buy hybrid trucks as a step toward electric vehicles — they want the truck bed and towing capacity of a pickup, but with lower fuel costs. Others see hybrids as a practical choice until electric truck technology improves and charging infrastructure expands.

What Toyota has said about its electric truck plans

Toyota has announced that an electric pickup truck is part of its long-term product plan, but the company has not given a specific year or model name for the U.S. market. Toyota tends to move cautiously into new vehicle categories, testing technology thoroughly before release.

The company has shown concept vehicles and design sketches of what an electric Toyota truck might look like, but these are not the same as a confirmed production model. Concept vehicles often change significantly before they reach dealerships, or they may not reach dealerships at all.

Toyota's timeline for an electric truck is likely several years away. The company is currently focused on expanding its bZ4X lineup and developing hybrid versions of more vehicles. When Toyota does release an electric truck, it will probably emphasize reliability and durability — qualities the brand is known for — rather than being first to market.

How Toyota's electric truck might compare to competitors

When Toyota eventually releases an electric truck, it will enter a market where Ford, Chevrolet, and Rivian already have models in production. The Ford F-150 Lightning starts at a higher price but offers significant towing capacity. The Chevrolet Silverado EV is still in early production. Rivian's R1T is positioned as a premium electric truck with high performance.

Toyota will likely position its electric truck as reliable and practical rather than the fastest or most luxurious. The company's reputation is built on vehicles that last a long time with minimal repairs, and that philosophy will probably carry over to its electric truck. This means Toyota's model might appeal to people who want an electric truck that they can depend on for work or daily use, rather than one focused on performance or luxury features.

The price of Toyota's electric truck is unknown, but Toyota generally prices its vehicles competitively with similar models from other manufacturers. The company's hybrid trucks are priced higher than gas-only versions, so an electric truck will likely cost more than a hybrid Tundra.

Charging and infrastructure considerations

If you are thinking about buying an electric truck from Toyota when it arrives, charging is an important factor. Electric trucks need more charging time than smaller electric vehicles because their batteries are larger. A truck that charges at home overnight might take 8 to 12 hours to fully charge, depending on the charger type and battery size.

Public charging networks are expanding across the United States, but availability varies by region. Rural areas have fewer charging stations than cities and suburbs. If you live in an area with limited charging infrastructure, an electric truck may not be practical for you right now, even when Toyota's model becomes available.

Toyota's bZ4X uses the Tesla Supercharger network in addition to other public chargers, which gives it access to a large charging network. Toyota's future electric truck will likely have similar access, though the company has not confirmed this yet.

Should you wait for Toyota's electric truck or buy something else now

The decision depends on your timeline and needs. If you need a truck now and want an electric vehicle, you have three main options: buy a Ford F-150 Lightning, a Chevrolet Silverado EV, or a Rivian R1T. All three are available today and have established track records with owners.

If you prefer to wait for Toyota because you trust the brand or want to see how Toyota's electric truck performs after release, you will need to either buy a gas or hybrid truck now, or wait several more years. There is no way to reserve or pre-order a Toyota electric truck yet because the company has not announced a release date.

If you are not in a hurry to buy, you could test drive the bZ4X to get a feel for Toyota's electric vehicle technology, and watch for announcements about the electric truck. Toyota typically announces new models 6 to 12 months before they arrive at dealerships, so you will have time to make a decision once details are public.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Toyota release an electric truck in the United States?

Toyota has not announced a specific release date. The company has confirmed that an electric pickup truck is planned, but it is likely several years away. Toyota typically announces new models closer to their arrival at dealerships, so a specific date will probably not be public until 2025 or later.

Can I buy a Toyota electric truck right now?

No. Toyota does not currently sell an electric pickup truck in the United States. The bZ4X is Toyota's only fully electric vehicle available now, and it is an SUV, not a truck. If you need an electric truck today, you would need to consider Ford, Chevrolet, or Rivian.

Is the Tundra Hybrid the same as an electric truck?

No. The Tundra Hybrid uses both a gas engine and an electric motor, but it is not fully electric. You still need to fill up with gasoline. A fully electric truck runs only on battery power and does not use gasoline at all.

How much will Toyota's electric truck cost?

Toyota has not announced pricing. Based on Toyota's current vehicle prices, an electric truck will likely cost more than a gas-only Tundra but may be competitive with other electric trucks on the market. Exact pricing will be announced closer to the release date.

Will Toyota's electric truck work with Tesla Superchargers?

Toyota has not confirmed this yet. The bZ4X can use Tesla Superchargers, so it is possible that Toyota's electric truck will too, but this has not been officially stated. Charging compatibility will be announced when the truck is officially revealed.