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A first drive review of the Lexus RZ 350e electric SUV has been published, covering the UK market. The review assesses the vehicle's performance, range and features for potential buyers in the United Kingdom. No specific technical figures or pricing details are provided in the available excerpt.

Why it matters: Fleet operators and workplace charging planners evaluating premium electric SUVs for company car schemes need real world assessments of vehicles like the RZ 350e to inform procurement decisions and infrastructure requirements.

Toyota's luxury brand unveiled a working prototype of the all-electric Lexus LFA at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, featuring a low-slung design and artificial V-8 engine noise. The supercar is being developed alongside Toyota's GR GT and GR GT3 race cars, sharing most structural components but replacing the combustion engine with a battery electric powertrain. Toyota expects the LFA to be the first vehicle equipped with its solid-state batteries, targeting practical use around 2028, though the company has repeatedly delayed this technology over recent years.

Why it matters: If Toyota delivers on solid-state batteries by 2028, the technology could reshape EV charging infrastructure requirements with faster charging speeds and higher energy density, potentially reducing dwell times at charging sites. The repeated delays highlight ongoing uncertainty around next-generation battery timelines that CPOs and site hosts must factor into long-term infrastructure planning.

Toyota has confirmed it will at least partially compensate suppliers following the cancellation of its flagship Lexus LF-ZC electric vehicle, with payments potentially reaching tens of billions of yen, according to Nikkei. Executive vice president Hiroki Nakajima announced the decision last week, noting that suppliers had already invested in specialised equipment for the model, which was intended to showcase battery advancements, Gigacasting and other cost cutting EV technologies. Toyota plans to deploy the developed technologies, including Gigacast, new electrical and electronic platforms for ADAS, and miniaturisation techniques, on a successor vehicle.

Why it matters: The cancellation and compensation highlight the financial risks suppliers face when OEMs pivot EV strategies, particularly for flagship programmes requiring bespoke manufacturing investments. For charging infrastructure players, Toyota's technology transfer to a successor model signals continued, albeit redirected, commitment to electrification that will eventually require supporting charging networks.

A May 2026 peer reviewed study by Toyota's Research Institute North America analysed telematics from over 6,000 Toyota and Lexus PHEVs in the US and Canada. Toyota RAV4 PHEV owners plugged in on 7 out of every 10 driving days, while Lexus NX 450h+ owners charged 8 to 9 times per 10 driving days. Only 9 per cent of Toyota and 4 per cent of Lexus drivers rarely charged. The findings align with 2024 Australian data but contrast sharply with a European study released three months earlier showing far lower charging frequency.

Why it matters: The data informs infrastructure planning and policy decisions around PHEV incentives, particularly as charging behaviour varies significantly by region. For charge point operators, understanding actual plug in rates helps forecast demand where PHEVs represent a growing share of the electrified vehicle mix.

The Everything Electric North showcase will take place at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre on 8 and 9 May, with test drives sponsored by Big Motoring World, England's largest used EV retailer. Models from BMW, Toyota, Lexus and Omoda will be available, with many vehicles sourced from Big Motoring World's Leeds store. The event aims to address consumer concerns and demonstrate the benefits of EV ownership.

Why it matters: Public engagement events with hands on test drives help accelerate EV adoption, which in turn drives demand for charging infrastructure deployment. Retailers and event organisers increasingly partner to demystify EV ownership, creating a larger addressable market for CPOs and site hosts.

Toyota Motor North America has announced a partnership with Treehouse to streamline home EV charging station purchases and installations for buyers of Toyota and Lexus battery electric and plug in hybrid vehicles. Treehouse, described as a software enabled operating system for electrification programmes, manages the entire process including quotes, scheduling vetted licensed electricians, and filing permits, with hardware installation completed in a single visit. The initiative targets mainstream buyers who lack charging knowledge but want professional service.

Why it matters: OEMs bundling installation services with vehicle sales can accelerate residential charging adoption and create new procurement channels for electricians and hardware suppliers. The partnership model may influence how other manufacturers structure their charging infrastructure support programmes.