Toyota’s bZ4X electric vehicle arrives at dealers this Spring, catalyzing the Japanese automaker’s launch into pure EVs, its first in nearly ten years.
“The all-electric Toyota bZ4X SUV not only looks to further Toyota’s commitment to a carbon-neutral future, but it does so in style,” the company said after launching the vehicle this morning. “Ready to make a fresh mark on the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) segment, bZ4X blends bold, modern styling with tech-laden features in an extremely capable platform.”
Credit: Toyota
The bZ4X is Toyota’s first addition to the global bZ series, which stands for “Beyond Zero.” Designed and developed with human-centricity at the heart, Toyota said it hopes to provide more than a mobility solution for customers, but also an innovative space for drivers to imagine a new era of the company’s vehicles.
The bZ4X is a competitive and attractive option for electric vehicle buyers. Important metrics like range and performance are at the focal point of any consumer’s decision in the emerging EV sector, and Toyota brought some competitive numbers to the table with its introductory bZ offering. The bZ4X offers 252 miles of range in its XLE front-wheel-drive models and will start at just $42,000. Not to mention, the bZ4X’s body style is a common selection in the U.S. market. Combining functionality with a sleek design, it is neither bulky nor restrictive.
Credit: Toyota
Toyota said the design of the bZ4X is one that focuses on a “dynamically flowing silhouette.” “The profile of the bZ4X is balanced and sleek, with dynamic character lines that flow from front to rear,” the automaker said. It is a sporty look that also encapsulates some futuristic features, like the enclosed grille area that is simply not feasible on a gas-powered vehicle. Despite its design, it still has the classic Toyota look, keeping the vehicle unique in its own way, not veering too far away from the overall feel of its cars.
Four Trim Levels, All Under $50k
Toyota will offer four trim levels for the bZ4X: two grades with XLE and Limited and two drivetrains, front-wheel and all-wheel-drive.
- 2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE FWD – $42,000
- 2023 Toyota bZ4X Limited FWD – $46,700
- 2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE AWD – $44,080
- 2023 Toyota bZ4X Limited AWD – $48,780
Front-Wheel-Drive trim levels will produce 201 horsepower, with All-Wheel-Drive configurations offering slightly more at 214. Instant torque will help the bZ4X achieve a 7.1-second 0-60 MPH time for the FWD trims and just 6.5 seconds for the AWD drivetrains.
All bZ4X models are equipped with a J1772/CCS1 socket, so home and public charging will be a breeze. Toyota said that there is also a 6.6 kW onboard charger, which allows the bZ4X to charge from low to full in about 9 hours with a Level 2 charger at home or in public.
Credit: Toyota
Toyota’s Big Plans for EVs
About a quarter of Toyota’s total sales in the United States in 2021 were of its electrified vehicles, it said. However, these are not pure EVs, and included hydrogen fuel cell electrics, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids.
There are big plans for pure EVs at Toyota, however, despite its focus on other powertrains for many years. Globally, Toyota plans to expand to around 70 electrified models by 2025, featuring 15 dedicated pure EVs. Seven of the fifteen will feature the bZ brand moniker. “This diverse portfolio of electrified products will help propel Toyota toward its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050,” the company added. “Globally, Toyota has put more than 20 million electrified models on the road – with a CO2 emissions reduction effect equivalent to the CO2 emissions reduction of over 5.5 million BEVs. Over the next nine years, Toyota will invest $70+ billion in electrified vehicles as a whole with the target to launch 3.5 million BEVs globally in 2030.”
Toyota debuts bZ4X SUV concept, kicking off its 15 electric vehicle lineup
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Tesla Model 3 and Model Y earn Euro NCAP Best in Class safety awards
“The company’s best-selling Model Y proved the gold standard for small SUVs,” Euro NCAP noted.
Tesla won dual categories in the Euro NCAP Best in Class awards, with the Model 3 being named the safest Large Family Car and the Model Y being recognized as the safest Small SUV.
The feat was highlighted by Tesla Europe & Middle East in a post on its official account on social media platform X.
Model 3 and Model Y lead their respective segments
As per a press release from the Euro NCAP, the organization’s Best in Class designation is based on a weighted assessment of four key areas: Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road User, and Safety Assist. Only vehicles that achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and were evaluated with standard safety equipment are eligible for the award.
Euro NCAP noted that the updated Tesla Model 3 performed particularly well in Child Occupant protection, while its Safety Assist score reflected Tesla’s ongoing improvements to driver-assistance systems. The Model Y similarly stood out in Child Occupant protection and Safety Assist, reinforcing Tesla’s dual-category win.
“The company’s best-selling Model Y proved the gold standard for small SUVs,” Euro NCAP noted.
Euro NCAP leadership shares insights
Euro NCAP Secretary General Dr. Michiel van Ratingen said the organization’s Best in Class awards are designed to help consumers identify the safest vehicles over the past year.
Van Ratingen noted that 2025 was Euro NCAP’s busiest year to date, with more vehicles tested than ever before, amid a growing variety of electric cars and increasingly sophisticated safety systems. While the Mercedes-Benz CLA ultimately earned the title of Best Performer of 2025, he emphasized that Tesla finished only fractionally behind in the overall rankings.
“It was a close-run competition,” van Ratingen said. “Tesla was only fractionally behind, and new entrants like firefly and Leapmotor show how global competition continues to grow, which can only be a good thing for consumers who value safety as much as style, practicality, driving performance, and running costs from their next car.”
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Tesla is shifting FSD to a subscription-only model, confirms Elon Musk
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed the upcoming update in a post on social media platform X.
Tesla will be ending one-time purchases of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system after Valentine’s Day, transitioning the feature to a monthly subscription-only model.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed the upcoming update in a post on social media platform X.
No more FSD one-time purchases
As per Elon Musk in his post on X, “Tesla will stop selling FSD after Feb 14. FSD will only be available as a monthly subscription thereafter.” This marks a shift in how Tesla monetizes its FSD system, which can now be purchased for a one-time fee or accessed through a monthly subscription.
FSD’s subscription model has been $99 per month in the United States, while its one-time purchase option is currently priced at $8,000. FSD’s one-time purchase price has swung wildly in recent years, reaching $15,000 in September 2022. At the time, FSD was proficient, but its performance was not on par with v14. This made its $15,000 upfront price a hard sell for consumers.
Tesla’s move to a subscription-only model could then streamline how the company sells FSD. It also lowers the entry price for the system, as even price-conscious drivers would likely be able to justify FSD’s $99 monthly subscription cost during periods when long-distance travel is prevalent, like the holidays.
Musk’s compensation plan and FSD subscription targets
Tesla’s shift to a subscription-only FSD model comes amidst Musk’s 2025 CEO Performance Award, which was approved by Tesla shareholders at the 2025 Annual Shareholders Meeting with roughly 75% support. Under the long-term compensation plan, Musk must achieve a series of ambitious operational milestones, including 10 million active FSD subscriptions, over the next decade for his stock awards to vest.
The 2025 CEO Performance Award’s structure ties Musk’s potential compensation to Tesla’s aggressive targets that span market capitalization, vehicle deliveries, robotics, and software adoption. Apart from his 10-million active FSD subscription target, Musk’s compensation is also tied to Tesla producing 20 million vehicles cumulatively, delivering 1 million Tesla bots, and having 1 million Robotaxis in operation. He must also lead Tesla to a market cap of $8.5 trillion.
If successful, Elon Musk’s 2025 CEO Performance Award could make him the world’s first trillionaire. It could also help Tesla become the world’s most valuable company by market cap by a notable margin.
Tesla is planning for a new 300+ stall Supercharger station that will be an expansion of an existing facility, and the company is planning to add a surprise for the Semi.
The Firebaugh, California Supercharger is currently 72 Superchargers, but Tesla filed for an expansion that will add 232 additional plugs for passenger vehicles, and it also plans to add 16 Semichargers.
This will be the biggest Supercharger station Tesla will have to date, just months after it finished the Supercharger Oasis in Lost Hills, California, which has 168 stalls. This will have 304 total Supercharger stalls, and then the additional 16 Megachargers.
🚨 This Supercharger station will have 304 total stalls and 16 Semichargers following this expansion
Absolutely INSANE size 🔥
This is located on I-5, so many semis will be traveling along this route https://t.co/hM9hdLcWwg
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 13, 2026
The Firebaugh Supercharger is located on I-5, which is a major reason for why Tesla has chosen the location for additional Megacharger plug-ins, as Tesla Semi Program Manager Dan Priestley said on X earlier today.
Lots of trucks to electrify on I-5
— Dan Priestley (@danWpriestley) January 13, 2026
The project was revealed by MarcoRP, a Supercharger tracker.
The expansion is a massive signal for charging demand, especially as Tesla’s Superchargers are opened to numerous automakers and are no longer exclusive to the company’s EVs. Additionally, the installation of Megachargers is a good sign to come for the Tesla Semi program, which aims to truly ramp up this year.
Tesla plans to launch production of the Semi later this year.
It could also mean Tesla is going to expand its footprint of large-scale Supercharger projects in the coming years, which would be a big boost as EV adoption continues to soar in the United States.
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y earn Euro NCAP Best in Class safety awards
Tesla is shifting FSD to a subscription-only model, confirms Elon Musk
