<div id="readability-page-1"><div> Back in May of this year, Toyota dropped word that its new 2026 Toyota C-HR crossover BEV will be coming to the US. The announcement appeared to mark another turning point in the iconic automaker’s journey to full electrification. Or not, as the case may be. While Toyota UK recently confirmed plans to market a souped-up C-HR+ version in Europe, the latest news from Toyota USA is a pricey new plan to expand production of the Corolla electric hybrid. <h3>More EVs Are Crowding Tesla Out Of The European Market</h3> The C-HR BEV has its roots in a concept SUV first introduced by Toyota in 2022, when Tesla’s domination over global EV sales seemed invincible. Three years later, the launch of the C-HR+ in Europe comes at a fortuitous time for Toyota, placing the company among the long and growing list of EV stakeholders aiming to take advantage of Tesla’s tailspin. Tesla sales have cratered in Europe as the company’s high profile CEO, Elon Musk, advocates for the breakup of the EU while also rewriting the history of World War II and recasting Germany’s bloodthirsty outbreak of nationalistic, genocide-centered violence as a thing best forgotten. Toyota’s UK branch affirmed its commitment to launch the 2026 CHR+ last March. “The all-new Toyota C-HR+ showcases Toyota’s commitment to creating battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for car enthusiasts, offering emotional appeal through bold design and engaging driving characteristics, coupled with everyday practicality,” Toyota UK enthused in a press statement. “Building on the achievements of the Toyota C-HR, which has amassed more than one million sales in Europe through two generations, the Toyota C-HR+ goes further as a stand-alone, all-electric model,” the company stated, emphasizing the transition to full electrification. As reported by the UK automotive news organization AutoCar on December 16, the C-HR+ will go on sale in the UK starting January 6 for delivery in March, at the starting price of £34,495 (about 46,568 USD), with an option-loaded Excel version available at £40,995 ($55,343 USD). <h3>Meanwhile, Back Here In The US …</h3> No word yet on Toyota’s plans for following through on its plans for the C-HR here in the US. I’m reaching out to the company for clarification, but if it does happen, it won’t be quite like the European version. For the European market, the CH-R+ comes with two battery options, a 57.7 kWh version with up to 283 miles of range, and a 77 kWh version with up to 378 miles of range. For the US market, on May 14 Toyota described the C-HR as a coupe-like BEV sporting a 74.7 kilowatt-hour battery with a stated range of up to 290 miles, along with Level 3 charging compatibility. “It will also have the convenience of Plug &amp; Charge for a simplified charging experience and be capable of charging on Level One and Level Two AC power sources,” Toyota added. That was the last full, detailed press statement from Toyota regarding its US plans, back when the $7,500 federal EV tax credit was still in force. In between May and now, the tax credit was prematurely axed as of September 30. I’m reaching out to the company for clarification regarding a 2026 launch, but in the meantime the company has had plenty to say about its expanded plans for producing hybrid EVs in the US, as outlined in a press statement on November 18. “Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing presence is expanding again to meet growing demand for hybrid vehicles,” the company stated. “As a part of Toyota’s recent commitment to invest up to $10 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, the company announces a $912 million investment and 252 new jobs across five manufacturing plants to increase hybrid capacity and bring hybrid-electric Corollas to its production lineup,” Toyota elaborated. <h3>It’s A BEV World, We Will Just Be Living In It</h3> Oh, well. Two steps forward and all that. If Toyota does pull back on its BEV plans for the US, it will have company in Ford. The legacy automaker recently announced a sharp detour in its electrification plans over to the are of plug-in-hybrids and range-extended hybrids, meaning gas-fueled onboard generators to supplement the battery. The startup Scout Motors, a high profile branch of Volkswagen, also appears a bit wobbly. Last year the company began hedging its BEV bets with a range-extended option, and so far the majority of its reservations have asked for the range extender. On a brighter note, newcomers Slate Auto, Telo Trucks, and Faraday Future are among the US automakers that remain fully committed to full electrification, at least so far. Last week General Motors also took a veiled shot at Ford’s pullback in a plain-language explanation of the benefits of full electrification, opening with the observation that electric vehicles “are General Motors’ ‘North Star.’” If Toyota does come through with the C-HR BEV for the US market in 2026, it will provide just one more piece of evidence that this year’s U-turn in federal energy policy is headed for another U-turn back in the direction of climate action, eventually. In the meantime, activity in the EV charging space continues to make the case for an improvement in EV uptake in the US, if not in the coming months then over the long term. While a group of US states continue to fight for their fair share of federal funds for EV charging stations, private stakeholders have been taking matters into their own hands. Among the latest developments, on December 22 the US firm Universal EV Chargers recapped its activity for the year. The company racked up 320 new DC fast charging ports among 85 charging stations at hotels, gas stations, and convenience stores in 2025, focusing on Illinois among other ripe markets including Virginia, Delaware, and North Carolina. To complement their strategy of piggybacking onto other traveler-friendly facilities, Universal lists “improved lighting, visibility, wayfinding, and pull-through access to reduce friction and enhance safety” among its design priorities. “By coordinating earlier with utilities, improving pre-construction planning, and optimizing logistics, the company reduced downtime and improved predictability across project timelines,” the company also explained, setting the stage for further expansion in 2026. Looking ahead to 2026, Universal plans to “significantly expand” its operations, leveraging the groundwork laid this year. That sure doesn’t sound like the US EV market is spiraling down the drain, at least not permanently. If you have any thoughts about that, drop a note in the comment thread. Photo: Toyota USA has announced a new plan to sell hybrid Corollas in the US, potentially stepping on the toes of its BEV plans featuring new 2026 C-HR crossover SUV (credit: C-HR cropped, courtesy of Toytota). </div></div>

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Toyota has confirmed the launch of its new C-HR+ BEV in Europe, marking a significant step in its electrification journey. The C-HR+ will be available in the UK from January 6, 2026, with two battery options. Meanwhile, in the US, Toyota is expanding its hybrid production, investing $912 million to increase hybrid capacity, including hybrid-electric Corollas. This move aligns with Toyota's $10 billion investment plan in the US over the next five years.

- Toyota has announced plans to launch the 2026 C-HR crossover BEV in the US, though details remain unclear compared to the European version.  
- While Toyota UK confirms a focus on a fully electric C-HR+, Toyota USA is shifting towards increased production of hybrid vehicles, investing $912 million to boost hybrid capacity.  
- Concurrently, the EV market sees activities in charging infrastructure expansion, indicating a persistent demand for electric vehicles despite challenges facing traditional automakers.

Toyota Confirms Launch Of New C-HR+ BEV In Europe While Hybrid Plans Expand In US