Toyota has unveiled the Toyota e-Palette, a fully electric shuttle designed to work with autonomous driving hardware and software, which can also be converted into a mobile shop or service hub. After years of concepts and prototypes, the quirky EV has finally reached production.

The e-Palette project began with its debut at CES 2018, followed by an updated version created for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. Since then, Toyota has continuously refined the design, leading to the production model that retains much of the original concept’s DNA. Its symmetrical, boxy silhouette, small wheels, and expansive glass panels emphasize its shuttle-like character. At the front, it features round LED headlights, a digital display, and a repositioned Toyota badge above the bumper intake. The rear mirrors the front but swaps in red taillights.

The vehicle features a central driving position with a yoke-style steering wheel and a steer-by-wire system. The cockpit houses multiple digital displays for the instrument cluster, infotainment, and cabin monitoring. Wide sliding doors, a low adjustable floor, and a deployable ramp make access easy for wheelchair users and parents with strollers. Inside, there are four fixed rear seats, three folding seats in the center, and standing space, accommodating up to 17 occupants in total (12 standing, 4 seated, plus the driver).

Customers can also opt for a wheelchair locking system and a large overhead digital display. The cabin has been designed for flexibility, allowing it to serve as a commuter shuttle in the morning, a food truck at lunch, and an entertainment pod in the evening.

The production e-Palette currently supports Level 2 driver assistance but is “capable of supporting automated driving” with optional third-party hardware and software known as the Automated Driving Kit. Toyota aims to introduce a Level 4-capable version by the 2027 fiscal year.

Power comes from a single electric motor producing 204 hp and 266 Nm of torque, with a top speed of 80 km/h. A 72.82 kWh battery provides a driving range of up to 250 km on a single charge, with 80% charging achievable in 40 minutes via fast charging, or 12 hours from a household outlet. The vehicle can also serve as an emergency power source.

In Japan, the Toyota e-Palette is priced at ¥29 million (approx. 6,259,000 THB), which makes it more expensive than the Century SUV at ¥27 million (approx. 5,827,000 THB).

Initially, the model will be deployed in Toyota Arena Tokyo and Toyota’s futuristic Woven City project in Japan.

Dimensions (Toyota e-Palette):

• Length: 4,950 mm

• Width: 2,080 mm

• Height: 2,650 mm

• Weight: 2,950 kg

Source: Toyota Global Newsroom