Scion iQ Electric Will Launch in 2012

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Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda has confirmed that the long-rumored battery-electric Scion iQ will hit showrooms by the end of next year. Scion’s internal combustion-engined iQ, a micro-subcompact model along the lines of the smart fortwo, is set to release by the end of 2011 as a 2012 model, but the plug-in electric iQ was not expected to follow so soon in its footsteps. Autoblog Green reports the iQ’s range at around 50 miles, though this is preliminary and Toyota should — and needs to — do a bit better than that to stay competitive with the Nissan LEAF and upcoming Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

As is consistent with Toyota’s Scion brand strategy, expect a
low base price as far as electric cars go, no more than $27,000 and
more-than-likely closer to $24,000 before Federal and state EV
government incentives. If you can’t wait, the gas-powered iQ will hit
showrooms very soon and promises to offer outstanding fuel economy.