For the car model sold in North America since 2025, seeToyota bZ4X.
TheToyota bZ series ("beyond Zero") is a family ofbattery electric vehicles (BEV) manufactured byToyota. It was introduced in April 2021 alongside thebZ4X Concept. The bZ series is a part of Toyota's plan to introduce 15 battery electric vehicle models by 2025, seven of which are from the bZ series.[1] Vehicles from the bZ series make use of thee-TNGA platform co-developed withSubaru.
According to Toyota, the "beyond Zero" name is intended to convey the desire to provide customers with value that exceeds mere "zero emissions." The company described the bZ series as a "human-centered" approach aimed for regions such as China, North America, and Europe, where there are growing demand for BEVs.[2]
Its first vehicle, the bZ4X, is produced in Japan and China and has been sold since mid-2022.[3] The second model, calledbZ3, was introduced in October 2022 to be sold exclusively in China in 2023. It is co-developed withBYD Auto through theBYD Toyota EV Technology (BTET) joint venture.
In 2025, Toyota decided to move away from the bZ naming strategy with plans to use names from current cars that are familiar to customers. TheUrban Cruiser andC-HR+ are the first to use names that move away from the old system. The bZ4X will likely be the only electric car Toyota sells globally under the bZ naming strategy.[4]
Patent fillings in 2020 revealed that Toyota had registered nine nameplates under the bZ series, which include bZ1, bZ2, bZ2X, bZ3, bZ3X, bZ4, bZ4X, bZ5, and bZ5X.[5][6] The numbers refer to the vehicle size orsegment, while the 'X' denotes to the vehicle being acrossover SUV.[7]
Akio Toyoda shows prototypes of 15 BEVs during Toyota's briefing on BEV strategies in December 2021
In December 2021, Toyota revealed the bZ Compact SUV, bZ Large SUV, bZ Small Crossover, and bZ SDN (sedan) concept vehicles as part of the bZ series. The four bZ concepts were displayed as part of an event that showcased fifteen future Toyota and Lexus battery electric models.[11] The bZ SDN was later revealed as thebZ3 in October 2022. The bZ Large SUV was later revealed as thefifth-generation Highlander in February 2026.[12]
TheToyota Urban SUV Concept showcased at Toyota Motor Europe’s Kenshiki forum on 4 December 2023 featured the bZ designation in the rear light signature.[19][20] The production-readyUrban Cruiser was revealed on 12 December 2024, the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) abandoning the bZ designation.[21]
_Private_FAW-Toyota_bZ3_%25E6%25B5%2599ABT59A6_2024-12-15.jpg)
.jpg)
