The Toyota EPU Concept Looks Just Right For North America

Hey Toyota, bring it here.

Late Friday evening, Toyota released images of two more of its EV concepts for the Japan Mobility Show. Arguably, the most interesting (and the most North America-ready) of the two is the EPU electric pickup concept, about the same size as the very popular Ford Maverick.

At 199.6 inches, the EPU is about the same length as the Ford Maverick, albeit about an inch or two wider and taller. The Toyota’s extra-long 131-inch wheelbase is a full ten inches longer than the Ford’s, and might lend to the EPU’s slightly goofy proportions. Still, the EPU is sleek, stylish, and it looks shockingly production-ready. There are no strange crazy details that look to be unproducable or impractical. As a whole, it’s a very normal-looking truck.

Like the Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Cruz, the Toyota EPU is a monocoque unibody pickup truck, not a body-on-frame design like the larger Tacoma or Ford Ranger. “ EPU's monocoque structure also allows for a versatile deck space that caters to a broader range of user applications,” said Toyota, via press release. The information on the EPU is limited, but Toyota did show off the truck’s bed – it’s long, flat, and wide, possibly the most accommodating out of all the compact pickup trucks.

The EPU uses a yoke-style steering wheel, but the rest of the interior looks fairly production-ready. It’s basic, yet sharp. There are two screens that comprise the gauge cluster and infotainment screen, while the gear selector and vehicle start/stop button sit between them. It’s all pretty straightforward, nothing crazy, very production-ready. There are even USB-C charge ports on the dashboard, something most concept cars wouldn’t think to include.

Toyota hasn’t said much of anything yet about the EPU’s production intent, or if it’ll even come to North America. But, we think this is exactly the right product for the US and Canada; the Rivian, Ford, and Chevy EV pickups are big and expensive. The overwhelming success of the Ford Maverick shows that consumers are hungry for a reasonably priced, fuel-efficient pickup. Toyota could beat everyone to the small EV pickup game, although, maybe it would be smart for Toyota to broaden this vehicle’s appeal with a hybrid variant offered alongside full electric power.

The Toyota EPU will officially debut at the Japan Mobility Show on October 25.

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