The electric "shuttle" is 4.95 meters long and designed for 16 passengers (four seated and twelve standing) plus the driver. So far, it meets the Level 2 automation standards, but by the 2027 fiscal year, Toyota plans to launch versions with Level 4 robotic driving systems.
The "filling" of the e-Palette looks as follows: an asynchronous electric motor with a power of 150 kW, a battery capacity of 73 kWh, and a range of about 250 km. Fast charging of up to 90 kW (about 40 minutes to 80%) or slow AC charging at 6 kW (about 12 hours to full charge) is supported. The weight of the vehicle is about three tons.
The design features a low floor and wide sliding doors for easy boarding and alighting of passengers. Additionally, the e-Palette supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality and can be used as a power source, for example, in emergencies.
Toyota positions the new product not only as passenger transport but also as a platform for services: a mobile shop, warehouse, or workspace. The first units will appear around Toyota Arena Tokyo and in the city of new technologies, Woven City. Furthermore, the company plans to engage dealers, municipalities, and partners in Japan for pilot projects related to automated transportation.
Source: Toyota
