Lexus on Monday unveiled a hybrid compact crossover for the European and Japanese markets — one that is being marketed with the same controversial “self-charging” language that luxury brand Toyota has introduced. used for hybrid vehicles in the past.
The Lexus LBX 2024 is the brand’s smallest model. At 165 inches long, it’s a foot shorter than the Lexus UX. That diminutive size means that the LBX is unlikely to reach the US. It is based on the same TNGA-B platform as the Toyota Yaris Cross, another model not sold in the US
Lexus LBX 2024 (European spec)
The only powertrain available combines a 1.5-liter inline-3 engine with a single electric motor to produce a total system output of 134 hp sent to the front wheels. The press release describes the powertrain as a “next-generation self-charging Lexus hybrid electric system”.
The term “self-charging” has been used by Lexus in Europe and other markets as a way to compare hybrids to electric vehicles, arguing that hybrids offer some degree of electrification without the hassle. trouble when plugged in. This is also a confusing formula, so much so that it has inspired a Regulatory suppression in Norway—one of the most EV-friendly countries in the world.
Regulatory bodies and consumer groups have deemed the term confusing, as it implies that it charges the battery through some other means such as solar energy, inductive charging, etc., whereas it simply run the gasoline engine more (and harness regenerative braking).
Lexus LBX 2024 (European spec)
Before that, Lexus used the phrase “always charge“, much simpler. That’s when Lexus introduced its hybrid vehicle as an alternative to electric vehicles.
Now, Lexus has a number of electric vehicles of its own—including UX300e Sold with LBX in Europe—as well as NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, “self-charging” is a confusing way to introduce a new hybrid model. If nothing else, some people might mistake LBX for EVs for automatic charging—this is another thing.
There are many automatic charging features for electric vehicles currently being tested—this robot EV charger in a Texas airport, for example. Is that closer to self-charging?
