Ten-Year Battery Guarantee for Lexus UX300e
Terrific battery spec for UX 300e gives Toyota the confidence to back up their product.
The brand's fist full-electric is a big deal
Lexus has been producing hybrids since about 2005. It has carefully evolved with improving battery technology, learning how to best integrate electrical power into vehicle drivetrains. After assembling and selling 1.7m hybrid vehicles over the last decade and a half, Lexus has now finally produced its first pure EV, the UX 300e. This compact crossover is a new venture for Lexus and can be seen as a tipping point in its technology journey.
It has a very low center-of-gravity
This image illustrates how the UX 300e's battery power source is packaged. It resides in the monocoque platform's floor structure. One of the most significant advantages that the UX 300e has over previous Lexus hybrid vehicles, is weight distribution. All automotive enthusiasts know that a low center of gravity improves directional stability and overall vehicle dynamics. Unlike a hybrid, where the gasoline engine cannot flatten its weight profile, the UX 300e's battery-pack is placed below wheel hub height, delivering ideal mass distribution.
You can load it up
Another aspect where the UX 300e's pure EV structure is superior to that of a hybrid is luggage capacity. Many hybrids have a compromised luggage compartment, in either shape or capacity, due to the intrusion of a battery pack or drive motor. Whilst also having to account for the presence of a traditional gas tank. The UX 300e avoids all those issues, by having its battery and drive components places in areas of the chassis, which don't compromise overall passenger comfort or luggage capacity.
Air-cooled EV
The UX 300e features a 54.3kWh battery pack, which gives it an impressive range rating, of 186-miles. With fifteen years of experience in automotive battery powertrain systems, Lexus engineers knew that cooling was important for the battery's performance. Water wasn't ideal when you wish to keep a trick battery pack operating best, so the solution is an air-cooling system. This air system creates a lot less thermal drag and ensures that those batteries aren't at risk of a short circuit.
Sealed for best performance
Beyond the air-cooling system, Lexus engineers have added other features to best care for the UX 300e's powertrain. It has heating elements, below the battery pack, to prevent significant range degradation in extreme cold. Comprehensive environmental sealing helps keep out dust and moisture, to ensure the integrity of the UX 300e's power source. The net result of all these measures: is an amazing 10-year/624 500-mile battery lifecycle and performance guarantee.
Spinning electrical power to those wheels
The UX 300e is powered by a compact electric motor, good for 200hp. Lexus claim this is sufficient for a top speed of 160kph and 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds, which are entirely respectable performance numbers, for a compact crossover of its size. The motor is front-mounted, to free up more luggage space at the rear and best utilize the inherent structure of Toyota's GA-C platform, which is used for both gasoline, hybrid, and full-electric vehicles.
Guaranteed to still run well - even after ten years
Recharging specification for the UX 300e's battery pack, depends on the charging source being used. If you plug it into a 50kW fast-charger, 80% energy reload will take only 50-minutes. Lexus is also claiming that its first full-electric vehicle will have excellent long-term battery life, which is a concern for many traditional buyers, considering an electric powertrain. Even in its tenth year of ownership, the UX 300e's battery capacity and performance will still be at 70% of the original specification, when new. To create an even more serene cruising experience, the UX 300e feature additional sound insulation, compared to other Lexus UX derivatives.
For help with service of your car, check out the how to section of ClubLexus.com