Toyota Motor Corp., a late-comer to the battery electric vehicle (BEV) market, is putting in strong efforts to make sure its first mass-market model is safer and lasts longer than rivals' products when it goes on sale later this year.
BEVs have grown in popularity globally, but some consumers have been put off by EV battery-related fire risks and rapid degradation.
General Motors and Hyundai Motor were forced last year to recall EVs, carrying batteries manufactured by LG Energy Solution, after reports of fires.