EVwire brief: Toyota Motor Corporation has unveiled a fully electric three-row Highlander BEV for North America, expanding its battery electric lineup under its multi-pathway carbon neutrality strategy. Production will take place in Kentucky, with sales expected to begin in late 2026.
The Highlander BEV will be produced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, becoming the fourth BEV manufactured for North America.
Toyota says the move supports its commitment to region-centered management, offering electrified vehicle options tailored to customer needs in specific markets.
Since launching in the United States in 2001, the Highlander has built a strong reputation among families for its three-row practicality, spacious interior, and capability for both urban and outdoor driving. U.S. cumulative sales from 2001–2025 have exceeded 3.6 million units.
With the introduction of a BEV model, Toyota aims to evolve the Highlander while supporting the transition to a carbon-neutral society.
Toyota Highlander BEV
The Highlander BEV will offer two lithium-ion battery capacity options:
76.96 kWh – Designed for urban-focused driving such as daily commuting and shopping
95.82 kWh – Targeted at customers seeking extended cruising range for long-distance travel and outdoor activities
Both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations will be available.
For the larger 95.82 kWh specification, Toyota has set a development target cruising range of up to 320 miles (515 km, EPA mode, AWD).
Recognizing North America’s varied climate conditions, Toyota is equipping the Highlander BEV with battery preconditioning, which adjusts battery temperature before rapid charging.
Under cold conditions (–10°C), Toyota has set a development target of approximately 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% using a 150 kW rapid charger. This focus on cold-weather performance is particularly relevant for Canadian and northern U.S. markets.
Interior view of Highlander BEV
Key Development Target Specifications:
Length: 198.8 inches
Width: 78.3 inches
Height: 67.3 inches
Wheelbase: 120.1 inches
Battery capacity: 76.96 kWh / 95.82 kWh
Max cruising range target: 320 miles (AWD, 95.82 kWh)
Toyota emphasized that the Highlander BEV is part of a broader electrification roadmap. The company will continue developing a range of powertrain options including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), to meet diverse customer needs across global markets.
Many on X have praised Toyota for finally embracing the EV evolution and even indicate that if Tesla had have made a roomy 3-row EV SUV that had more traditional yet modern body lines, then perhaps more EV adopters would have made the switch. It is important to not compare the Y or X to the Highlander EV - The Model Y was the top selling VEHICLE in the world for a reason and even if Tesla made a Highlander EV, that doesn’t mean that people would choose it over the Model Y.
SOURCE: Toyota
