Toyota Motor launched commercial sales of its e-Palette electric vehicle on Monday, pricing the multipurpose shuttle at ¥29 million ($197,000) while promising autonomous capabilities that remain years away from reality.
The Japanese automaker unveiled the boxy electric bus at Tokyo’s new arena, touting plans for Level 4 self-driving technology by fiscal 2027. Currently, the vehicle requires constant driver supervision under Level 2 automation standards—a significant gap from Toyota’s ambitious timeline.
Nikkei reported that the e-Palette represents Toyota’s attempt to transform from automaker to mobility service provider. The 4.95-meter vehicle can accommodate up to 16 passengers and features a 72.8 kWh battery delivering 250 kilometers of range.
Toyota markets the platform as adaptable for various commercial uses, from mobile stores to entertainment venues, complete with digital signage and bidirectional charging capabilities. The company offers potential buyers a government subsidy of ¥15.8 million ($107,500) to offset the steep purchase price.
The e-Palette’s journey from 2018 concept to commercial reality spans seven years, raising questions about Toyota’s ability to deliver on its 2027 autonomy promises. While competitors like Waymo already operate Level 4 robotaxis in limited markets, Toyota’s timeline appears optimistic given current technological constraints.
The vehicle will debut operationally at Toyota Arena Tokyo, opening October 3, providing an early test of real-world performance.
