Toyota Advocates for Mobility for All

With its C+ series, Toyota focuses on small electric vehicles: a mini car, a three-wheeled scooter, and even a device for people with reduced mobility.

Limiting individual mobility to only cars and two-wheelers would overlook many needs and people. To avoid leaving them on the sidelines, Toyota has developed a family of C+ electric vehicles, each targeting a specific audience.

C+Pod, the ideal mini car for the city

In the Tokyo metropolis, space is scarce, between narrow alleyways and tall buildings. Although individual cars are not the norm due to the dense public transport network, cars must adapt to limited spaces.

Beyond kei cars, the Toyota C+pod is Japan’s smart car, measuring only 2.49 meters long. The two-seater is even narrower than a Citroën Ami, at 1.3 meters wide. It features a true rear trunk, very low door sills, a turning radius of 3.9 meters, and has a practical design.

This mini car can also cover a range of 150 km per charge, at a maximum speed of 60 km/h. The charging is also bidirectional, up to a power of 1.5 kW, capable of powering a computer, smartphone, and electric heater simultaneously. Its price? Starting at 1.665 million yen (approximately €11,910).

C+Walk T, the three-wheeled electric scooter assisting in employment

Electric scooters are also available in Japan, but they serve a different role than in Europe. Rather than being an alternative to bicycles for electric bikes, these devices are closer to Segway-like transportation. The Toyota C+Walk T aims to assist factory workers, airport patrols, or even people with reduced mobility in large shopping centers.

Indeed, in Japan, it is legal to operate inside certain buildings, provided the speed does not exceed 6 km/h. This scooter can operate on sidewalks, up to a maximum of 10 km/h, thanks to new regulations, and its motor delivers 250 W (350W). Unlike our small vehicles, the C+Walk T has three 10-inch wheels, a short length of 70 cm (compared to about 1.10 m generally), a ground clearance of 15 cm, a handlebar shaped like a semi-steering wheel, and a removable 13.2 Ah (330 Wh) battery. Practicality again guides its design.

To prevent accidents, the scooter is equipped with pedestrian and obstacle detectors, which automatically decelerate, including turns. However, it is quite expensive: 341,000 yen, or approximately €2,440, and will be launched next May.

C+Walk S, a device combining wheelchair and scooter features

By creating the C+Walk S, Toyota is entering the small electric vehicle market with seats popular in the United States. The Japanese manufacturer used the base of its scooter, adding a seat and a small space for a basket. Still with three wheels, this vehicle is aimed at people with reduced mobility or the elderly. Limited to 6 km/h, it can travel 12 km with its removable battery. The Toyota C+Walk S has been available in Japan since March 20 at a price of around 500,000 yen (approx. €3,580).