The Toyota Corolla EV will go into production in 2028. It will be manufactured in China alongside hybrid models.
Toyota plans to begin producing an electric Corolla at its FAW Toyota Motor plant in China in 2028. However, the next generation of this compact car will still offer several powertrain options, ranging from gasoline and hybrid versions to PHEVs and fully electric models.
The Corolla is Toyota’s best-selling model in history. Since its debut in 1966, over 57 million units have been sold worldwide, but after 12 model iterations, the biggest redesign of this car is coming now.
One Corolla, four powertrains
The precursor to the next generation was the Corolla Concept, shown almost a year ago at the Japan Mobility Show. Its sleek body design resembles that of a more sporty liftback compared to the current Corolla. Without the huge COROLLA logo at the back, identifying the model would not be so obvious.
Toyota President Koji Sato said at the time that the Corolla would remain “a car for everyone.” He explained it quite directly: “Whether it’s an electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid, a hybrid, or a gasoline-powered car, let’s create stylish vehicles that everyone will want to drive.”
According to Nikkei, production will begin in 2028 under Toyota’s joint venture with the state-owned FAW company. The Corolla is set to be the first model based on the “multipathway” platform, designed for various powertrains. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Toyota is already using this architecture in several vehicles, including Lexuses. This inconsistency has not been clarified.
The specifications remain unofficial. The Corolla EV is expected to be offered with one or two engines, delivering a range of at least 250 miles, around 402 km. However, it is unclear what process was used to achieve this range. Toyota has not disclosed the battery capacity, power output, or charging speed.
The hybrid version is set to feature a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine along with an electric motor. Toyota engineers told Car and Driver that the system will offer approximately 134 horsepower and is expected to be 10-20% more efficient than the current Corolla’s powertrain.
The debut of the next generation is expected in 2027 as a 2028 model year vehicle. The gasoline version could cost around $25,000, the hybrid around $27,000, while the EV and PHEV versions are expected to be priced at approximately $30,000. These remain estimates from “Car and Driver” and not official pricing lists. It is also unknown whether the Corolla EV will be available in the U.S., Europe, or Poland.
China forces Toyota to act faster
Production in China aims to reduce costs and shorten the development and rollout time for new versions. Toyota also plans to manufacture Lexus EREV vehicles there starting in 2027, which are electric cars with an internal combustion engine acting as an energy generator.
In a July interview with NHK, Akio Toyoda, the current chairman of the board and former president of the company, admitted that the firm must adapt or else it “will not survive” competition and technological changes driven by China. Footage from a secret development facility showed blurred outlines of sedans, hatchbacks, crossovers, and GR variants in the background.
The pressure is real. Toyota’s sales in China dropped by 23%, marking the seventh consecutive month of decline. Demand for gasoline and hybrid cars is weakening, and the company is reorganizing its FAW Toyota and GAC Toyota subsidiaries. The Corolla EV is intended to help counter Chinese competition, but without details on its battery, charging capabilities, and price, it remains a promise wrapped in an impressive concept for now.
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