Toyota’s new van is estate of the art
BURNASTON FACTORY’S SELF-CHARGING HYBRID
AT first glance you would be forgiven for thinking that the UK and Europe’s first self-charging full hybrid van looks nothing like a traditional van.
Probably, that’s because the Toyota Corolla Commercial starts life with the same body as the Corolla Touring Sports passenger car.
Our reporters were at the Toyota UK plant at Burnaston, which celebrates its 30th year of production on the site later this year, to see the launch of the vehicle, which claims to be Europe’s first “self-charging full hybrid electric van”. It is produced at the Derbyshire plant, alongside standard versions of the Corolla.
At first glance there does not seem to be much that’s different about the vehicle – it really looks like an estate car – until you look inside and see that there are only two seats and the rear seats have been removed.
In their place is a much extended load space which measures 1.32 cubic metres and can take a payload of up to 425kg on flat load floor with a tough rubber lining. Braked trailers with up to 750kg can be towed. The rear windows are blacked for added security you would get with a van.
Toyota sees this vehicle, with its allelectric capability ideal for urban driving and the hybrid system for making longer trips, as an answer for businesses wanting to go part way towards achieving reduced carbon emissions, but not wanting to fully commit.
Although the Corolla is available in both 1.8 and 2.0 litre models, the Corolla Commercial is only available as a 1.8 litre.
In the factory at Burnaston, the Corolla Touring Sports and the Corolla Hatchback are produced on the same assembly line, and vehicles assigned for conversion go through the same process as the passenger models, but with no fitment of rear seats.
The conversion work is carried out on site in Toyota’s business revenue centre. The centre has the capability to install many of the special features public sector fleets such as the police and emergency services require, such as lighting, liveries and electronics.
A Toyota spokesman said: “Having gained a positive response from established customers to the idea of Toyota applying its hybrid technology to a commercial vehicle, a prototype was produced and revealed for the first time at the 2021 Commercial Vehicle Show.
“With no negative feedback – people warmly welcomed the prospect of a van with hybrid electric power – Toyota launched its production this month.
“There has been a huge demand for demonstrations, but a production figure has not been set yet although there is capacity on the line to increase production as and when we need it. But we have a lot of inquiries.
“We are launching a base grade model and we will be in a position to offer upgrades such as alloy wheels in the next 12 months.”
Anyone wanting to fill gaps between small vans and electric vehicles might well find the latest Derbyshire export just the thing they need – Toyota is gearing itself up for as many vehicles as there is demand for – and it probably looks better sitting on the driveway than a big van.
How well received the new Corolla Commercial will be by the business community will be revealed next week when it will be taken to the Commercial Vehicle Show, which takes place annually at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.
For operators it is the annual meeting place to network and for sector suppliers the ultimate event to showcase your brand and products to a huge audience of prospective customers thousands of fleet owners, directors, senior managers, engineers and to anyone operating commercial vehicles as part of their business.
The 2022 Commercial Vehicle Show runs from today until Thursday this week.
There has been a huge demand for demonstrations, but a production figure has not been set yet. Spokesman