Lexus Made The Most Environment friendly Electrical Crossover On Sale. This is How

Lexus and Toyota aren’t recognized for his or her EV management. Each manufacturers supply just one all-electric car, and neither mannequin presents notably compelling vary or charging specs. However when Lexus printed effectivity information for the RZ 300e, our viewers was shocked at how effectively it did. We requested Lexus for particulars on how the bottom mannequin RZ quietly grew to become probably the most environment friendly EVs on sale. 

In case you’re unfamiliar with the RZ lineup—I do not blame you—the bottom mannequin 300e joined the lineup in 2024. Lexus was already promoting an AWD RZ 450e, however the FWD mannequin is far more environment friendly. The bottom mannequin will get 125 MPGe, equal to roughly 3.7 miles per kWh together with charging losses. That is extra environment friendly than a Tesla Mannequin Y. It is essentially the most environment friendly EV SUV on sale, and probably the most environment friendly EVs interval. 

Solely a handful of 2024 model-year electrical automobiles achieved a better end result. Three automobiles—the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lucid Air and Tesla Mannequin 3—in a complete of seven variations are extra environment friendly.

The query of how the Lexus RZ 300e grew to become so environment friendly is fascinating as a result of the unique 450e model is way behind at 107 MPGe (315 Wh/mi or 3.2 miles/kWh). Plus the Lexus is way extra environment friendly than the Toyota bZ4x on which it’s primarily based, which will get 119 MPGe within the EPA cycle. That is an inversion of what we usually count on: Luxurious autos are heavier, and due to this fact normally much less environment friendly than their mainstream counterparts. 

InsideEVs requested Lexus/Toyota to substantiate the RZ 300e’s outcomes, and about why it is a lot extra environment friendly than the 450e. Lexus spokesperson Laura Finley confirmed 125 MPGe as the proper score. Because it seems, there are a number of explanation why the 2024 Lexus RZ 300e makes use of much less vitality than the 450e.

To start with, this model has a single-motor, front-wheel drive powertrain making 201 horsepower, in comparison with the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive 450e that produces 308 hp. This one change removes some weight and reduces the axle friction from the rear e-axle. The RZ 300e’s base curb weight is 4,277 lb, whereas the RZ 450e weighs in at 4,564 lb.

One other effectivity enhance comes from the entrance e-axle inverter. Within the RZ 450e, the inverter semiconductor is made out of silicon (Si). Within the RZ 300e, Lexus makes use of a silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor, which is extra environment friendly. I would guess this transformation improves effectivity by a couple of p.c. It’s going to be attention-grabbing to see whether or not Lexus brings the SiC-type semiconductor to the AWD model within the subsequent replace.

For now, the SiC is exclusive for the RZ 300e. It isn’t used within the FWD model of the Toyota bZ4X, which can clarify that mannequin’s decrease effectivity score.

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Lastly, the Lexus RZ 300e has completely different wheels and tires than the AWD model. The rear tire width is 235 mm (the identical because the entrance) as a substitute of 255 mm. On high of that, the 300e has a better manufacturing facility tire stress: 42.1 psi as a substitute of 33.4 psi.

The mixture of the adjustments resulted in a fairly important effectivity enchancment. The Lexus RZ 300e will get a barely larger battery, too—72.8-kilowatt-hours, as a substitute of 71.4-kWh within the AWD—however that is a really small change (2%). The vary improves by over 17% from 220 miles within the 450e to 266 miles within the 300e, so it is clearly extra than simply the battery. 

Because the RZ exhibits, there are numerous small adjustments you may make to an EV to get a wide array enhance. If different producers take be aware, hopefully, we’ll quickly have extra 120+ MPGe SUVs to select from.