Toyota FT-Me BEV concept for Europe

Toyota Motor Europe has unveiled the FT-Me concept, a compact battery electric vehicle (BEV) for urban environments.

It’s customisable and highly versatile to meet the needs of diverse users, with a solar roof to help make it affordable, says Toyota Motor Europe (TME).

The two-seater is less than two and a half metres in length, it offers great manoeuvrability and takes up half a parking space.

Jet helmet inspired styling sees the FT-Me offer mobility for people with entry-level driving licences, including those as young as 14 in some markets, says TME.

The vehicle has advanced connectivity features, allowing seamless integration with smartphones for keyless entry and service provision.

The FT-Me can be driven solely by hand commands on its innovative steering wheel which Toyota says also makes it usable to wheelchair users without any aftermarket modification.

Using recycled materials, the BEV aims for a 90% reduction in carbon footprint compared to today’s city vehicles, says TME.

Its propulsion system consumes three times less energy per kilometre than a high-capacity BEV and its solar panel roof technology that can charge the main battery, adding 20 to 30km range daily, in urban settings easily covering the expected daily use.

TME says the FT-Me concept embraces younger drivers as well as those wanting to downsize, and it aims for total carbon dioxide reduction in all new vehicles in Western Europe by 2035.

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