Toyota's luxury car brand Lexus will finally launch an electric vehicle for the U.S. market in 2022. Other countries already have a version of the Lexus UX 300e with a fully electric drivetrain, but that vehicle is merely a reworked version of the hybrid UX 300. As such, it is hardly attractive and lacks the scope of the new design. [According to Cnet's Roadshow, Lexus' first EV is expected in 2022, and the company hopes to have 20 EVs available by 2025. Lexus has previously unveiled the LF-Z Concept, an ambitious new model that probably won't see the light of day in the form it was unveiled in March. The company also expects its EVs to have a range of over 370 miles by 2025, with Tesla-level performance.

Lexus' first EV will likely be based on the upcoming Toyota bZ4X, which will offer a 90 kWh battery and 150 kW fast charging. bZ4X will offer a 90 kWh battery and 150 kW fast charging. bZ platform is a BYD, Daihatsu, Subaru and Suzuki The bZ4X is being produced in China and Japan, and the company plans to launch it globally in 2022.

Lexus and Toyota have come under fire for their slow entry into the pure EV market. Toyota was one of the first companies to really push hybrid motors. The Prius became a worldwide hit and the company continues to offer many hybrid vehicles. However, the company has so far avoided a fully electric drive, falling behind Nissan and South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia.

Then there is the issue of hydrogen. Toyota still believes the technology has legs, but so far it only produces the expensive Mirai. There are only two locations in South Carolina and one each in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Then it may not be a good option.

In any case, with the growing popularity of electric vehicles, the introduction of Lexus is not surprising, but welcome.