Toyota Lexus, once a pioneer in electrified vehicles, is gearing up to introduce a fully electric line-up in the coming years to try to reclaim its public perception as a leader in automotive powertrain technology.

But the two brands, which have offered hybrid petrol-electric powertrains since the 1990s and were among the first to move away from diesel last decade, face a "very difficult" short-term challenge in the UK Government's proposed zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

The mandate is expected to demand that ZEVs, such as pure electric or expensive hydrogen cars, make up 22% of a manufacturer's 2024 new car sales to avoid receiving huge financial penalties or buying 'credits' from EV-focused rivals.

Its range is still mostly hybrid. With the UK accounting for just 1% of Toyota Lexus global sales, and its product plan geared towards a 2026/27 ramp up, it will be “very difficult” to adapt its portfolio to meet zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate plans in the UK, according to industry observers.

However there will be rapid growth in their zero-emission model offerings starting from 2024, and the national sales company will no doubt sell all the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ electric cars it can get its hands on, while competing with the other 30 markets in Europe.