Lexus electric car sales to boom

Electrified Lexus cars currently account for 38 per cent of the brand’s total sales in Australia, but that percentage is expected to more than double by 2025 as 10 full-electric models and scores of new hybrids are launched globally.

Lexus has offered petrol-electric hybrid cars for years, but at the launch of its first full-electric vehicle, the 2021 Lexus UX 300e, local chief Scott Thompson said demand would surge as a flood of new models come to market.

He also said that Lexus was on track to become the world’s “luxury leader in electrification”.

“We’re already well down this path,” said Thompson. “Last year, electrified models accounted for one-third of our local sales. So far this year, we’ve seen solid growth to 38.4 per cent.

“And, by 2025, we anticipate that share will double, and encompass a broad portfolio of electrified powertrains.

“Looking even further out – to 2030 – you can expect next-generation electrified powertrains replacing petrol-only powertrains in almost every vehicle we sell in Australia.”

Lexus will remain heavily reliant on ‘conventional’ series/parallel hybrid technology to underpin its electrification strategy.

In the short term, Lexus anticipates the volume-selling powertrain variant in the UX small SUV range will be the UX 250h hybrid, with the new battery-electric 300e to be also outsold by the conventional UX 200.

However, nine more battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and another 10 new hybrids (both conventional and plug-in) will be launched by Lexus over the next four years – most of which are expected to be sold in Australia.

“Between now and 2025, you will see Lexus International expand its diverse vehicle line-up by adding 20 new electrified models, including 10 BEVs,” said Thompson.

“All these vehicles will be considered and introduced as appropriate for Australia, catering for customers right across the luxury market.

“In doing so, we will recognise the different practical needs of Australian customers and geographies, ensuring no-one is left behind.”

What that means – not just at Lexus, but at parent company Toyota too – is that everyone will be offered an electrified vehicle to purchase in the future, whether their daily drive is as far as the shops or half a state away.

For those needing longer range, series/parallel hybrids will likely remain popular, but as urban density increases, there may be a shift towards plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and EVs.

The brand’s first PHEV, the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+, will launch early next year.

The car-maker also provided a glimpse into its future with the striking Lexus LF-Z Electrified, a four-seat SUV about the size of the current Lexus RX.