June 25, 2024 – Toyota, despite its slow transition towards electric vehicles, seems to be taking cues from the industry giant Tesla. The automaker has announced that it will open up its luxury brand Lexus’ charging stations to all electric vehicles in Japan, mirroring Tesla’s practice in the US and globally.
It’s noteworthy that Lexus inaugurated its first “fast charging station” in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya last June, marking the commencement of Lexus’ electrification initiative. Following this, the second charging station located in Karuizawa Common Grounds became operational in December 2023. These stations are equipped with fast chargers with a power output of up to 150 kilowatts.
Previously, the Lexus charging stations were exclusively for Lexus owners. They could reserve a charging spot up to 60 days ahead through the “My Lexus” app and enjoy a seamless charging experience with automatic payment via the app. Additionally, Lexus offered complimentary beverages, workspace, and discounts on nearby services as value-added benefits.
Now, these charging stations are accessible to all electric vehicle owners. Toyota’s decision to open up the Lexus charging stations is reminiscent of Tesla’s strategy to open its Supercharger network. Last May, Ford Motor Company announced its plan to adopt Tesla’s NACS adapter, and subsequently, almost all automakers, including Toyota and Lexus, followed suit to gain access to Tesla’s Supercharger network in the US.
However, it’s worth mentioning that Tesla boasts over 15,000 Supercharger stalls in the US and Canada, and more than 50,000 globally. In contrast, Lexus aims to establish approximately 100 charging stations in Japan by 2030.
Meanwhile, Toyota and Lexus lag behind the industry average in their transition to electric vehicles. As of the first four months of 2024, Toyota (including Lexus) sold only 46,033 electric vehicles globally, accounting for just 3.4% of the 1.3 million vehicles sold during the same period.
