Toyota's next big leap forward in wide-scale vehicle electrification has begun. Introducing the Toyota bZ4X concept, a pure battery-electric SUV that's the first of a new BEV lineup under the new "bZ" (Beyond Zero) brand. The bZ4X concept, which looks awfully close to being production-ready, rides on the Japanese automaker's new e-TNGA dedicated battery-electric platform that was jointly developed with Subaru. This means the production version will combine Toyota quality with Subaru's all-wheel drive expertise.

With its long wheelbase and short overhangs, the bZ4X's exterior design is quite distinctive and looks similar to an earlier Subaru concept. Toyota describes the interior as an "open-concept" that focuses on driver comfort, such as the low position of the instrument panel and the location of the gauges above the steering wheel for improved visibility.

The photos reveal the bZ4X is a two-row SUV with seating for up to five passengers. Exterior and interior dimensions were not provided but the vehicle looks smaller than the Toyota RAV4, at least from the outside. EVs generally have long wheelbases to accommodate the floor-mounted battery pack and this often translates to generous interior volume.

The production version will be built at factories in Japan and China with the goal of beginning global sales by the middle of 2022. Full details for the North American spec version will be released in the coming months.

The bZ4X will be part of an extended Toyota lineup of battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids that will account for over 40 percent of all alternative powertrain vehicles sold in the US.

The carmaker is aiming to have around 70 electrified vehicles sold globally by 2025, 15 of which will be dedicated BEVs and seven wearing the bZ brand moniker. Toyota also confirmed its trucks will soon be electrified with both hybrid and BEV powertrains. Yes, that means an all-electric Toyota truck is coming soon. Electrified trucks are essential to Toyota's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

"The Toyota bZ4X concept points to yet another option in our already robust electrified portfolio," said Bob Carter, Toyota North America executive vice president of sales. "With investments and product offerings across the spectrum of electrification, we intend to be there with products and technologies that meet the diverse needs of customers around the world."