Lexus unveils its first EV in history

The UX 300e, which is currently on display at the 2019 Auto Guangzhou expo in China, may look similar to the UX compact SUV it is based upon, but the innovation is still there.

On the outside, the wheels have taken on a more aerodynamics-friendly shape, the bottom has flattened up, the ride height dropped 20 mm (0.8”), and a charger port appeared. Aside from these subtle tweaks, there is nothing to help you tell the electric UX from its ICE counterpart.

The SUV comes powered by a single engine rated at 204 hp (152 kW) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque. Its battery can store up to 54.3 kilowatts of power and is rated for 400 kilometers (250 miles) of range (NEDC). A 0-100% charging cycle using your regular wall socket takes seven hours, but you may opt for a special charging device to reduce it to just 50 minutes.

Inside, the dashboard has been slightly redesigned, and an engine sound imitation module has been added. Tweaks have been made to suspension to support the increased weight (1,900 kg / 4,200 lbs).

China will be the primary market for the Lexus UX 300e, but sales will also launch in Japan and Europe.