Lexus Cancels Next-Generation EV Sedan

Lexus was developing a production version of the dramatic LF-ZC electric sedan concept, an IS EV, but it’s abandoning the project.

LF-ZC_022

Andrei Nedelea

By: Andrei Nedelea

Jun 1, at 10:09am ET

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Lexus has canceled the LF-ZC-inspired electric IS after previously delaying it to 2027.
The electric IS was expected to use advanced manufacturing and possibly offer up to 620 miles of range.
Lexus appears to be prioritizing electric SUVs and crossovers over a risky electric sport sedan.

Lexus has reportedly abandoned its project to create an electric sedan to rival the BMW i3 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV. The model was expected to draw heavily on the dramatic-looking LF-ZC concept, a low-slung, sporty, and highly futuristic sedan.

Nikkei reports that Lexus has abandoned the project due to waning U.S. EV demand and will instead focus on producing high-riding crossovers and SUVs. The initial plan was to produce the electric IS starting this year, but it was pushed to mid-2027 and is now reportedly canceled.

The model was set to incorporate gigacasted pieces, which are much larger components of the car’s chassis and shell than what is typically used in the industry. Tesla was the first manufacturer to introduce this to a mass-produced model with the Model Y, but the idea has since been adopted by other manufacturers, including Toyota.

Gallery: Lexus LF-ZC Concept

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LF-ZC_001 LF-ZC_002 LF-ZC_003 LF-ZC_004 LF-ZC_005 LF-ZC_006

It sounds like the electric IS project was pretty advanced, and we actually have some details. According to an earlier report, the top variant would have had around 500 horsepower and a target one-charge range of 620 miles (1,000 km). This hinted at the possibility that it was getting a solid-state battery, which Toyota has been working on for years.

Earlier reports indicated that the vehicle would be about 3 inches longer than today’s IS sedan, making it 1 inch shorter than the larger ES.

The manufacturer may also have decided to cancel its electric IS because it now offers the ES with both electric and hybrid powertrains. It may be bigger, but it is a Lexus sedan available with either fully electric or hybrid power for buyers who still want something with a three-box design. The ES EV starts at $48,895 and comes with a native NACS charging port.

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The combustion IS is still available in many markets, including the U.S. It starts at $46,795, and it’s only available as a pure combustion model, with either a 3.5-liter V-6 engine or a 5-liter V-8. The hybrid IS 300 variant is no longer available for the 2026 lineup.

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Lexus refuses to retire the third-generation IS, which was launched in 2013 and has undergone three facelifts. So while it may look pretty similar to everything else Lexus is selling these days, it’s one of the oldest cars still on sale today. Buyers looking for a new electric sedan from Toyota that's smaller than the ES might want to wait for the new Corolla EV, which looks really futuristic.

The cancellation comes as many automakers rejigger their EV plans in the face of shifting policies and slower sales growth. Even considering the Lexus news, Toyota is one of the manufacturers bucking that trend. It is launching several new electric models in the U.S. this year, including the Lexus TZ and Toyota Highlander three-row SUVs.