Toyota’s electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States collapsed in September, even as rival automakers reported surging demand ahead of the expiration of a $7,500 federal tax credit.
The Japanese automaker sold just 61 units of its BZ models last month, while Lexus delivered 86 RZ vehicles, totaling 147 EVs. That marked a more than 90% drop from the 1,847 all-electric vehicles Toyota sold in September 2024, according to company data. EVs accounted for less than 0.1% of Toyota’s 185,700 total U.S. vehicle sales, which were up 14% year-on-year.
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Through the first nine months of 2025, sales of Toyota’s BZ lineup fell 9% and Lexus RZ sales plunged 36% compared with a year earlier. In Japan, the company sold just 18 EVs in August.
The sharp decline comes as Toyota prepares to replace its current bZ4X with the 2026 Toyota BZ, featuring a larger 74.7 kWh battery with up to 314 miles of range — a 25% improvement. The redesigned EV introduces faster charging, a built-in NACS charge port for Tesla Superchargers, and a new “hammerhead” front-end design. The base 2026 BZ XLE FWD, starting at $34,900, will use a smaller 57.7 kWh pack with 236 miles of range.
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The 2026 Lexus RZ is receiving similar updates, while Toyota plans to add two more fully electric SUVs — the 2026 C-HR and BZ Woodland — next year. Despite the slump, Toyota reiterated its commitment to a diversified powertrain strategy, spanning battery EVs, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles.
