The compact UX SUV has become the first-ever pure-electric Lexus, with 400km of claimed range and 300Nm.

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Lexus has revealed its first-ever pure-electric vehicle, the UX300e, aimed squarely at the EV-friendly Chinese and European markets. With a 54.3kWh lithium-ion battery pack good for a claimed 400km of range on the more lenient NEDC test cycle, the 300e is powered by an electric motor making 150kW and 300Nm. Lexus claims the car will take 50 minutes to charge from empty on a fast charger, and around seven hours on a home wall connection. The means its best AC charge capability is 6.6kW, while its best DC fast charge speed is 50kW.

There are four regeneration modes, allowing owners to tailor how aggressively the car harvests energy under deceleration. Externally, the UX300e looks identical to its internal-combustion counterparts – save for the electric badging of course. The roof is slightly higher, and ground clearance has dropped by 20mm because of the battery pack. Lexus says the dampers have been retuned to handle the extra weight associated with the battery pack, but claims the "suspension has been thoroughly tuned to target the same high steering response and high-quality ride comfort as the UX250h". Inside, the car is unchanged compared to the regular UX. Expect to see unique displays in the instrument binnacle and touchscreen, offering information about how much range remains and where the nearest charge stations are.

Lexus says the UX300e will be on sale in Europe and China next year, to be followed by Japan early in 2021. Will the UX300e come to Australia? "The UX300e is initially intended for sale next year in China and Europe and Japan the following year. No plans have been announced for other markets," Lexus Australia chief executive said earlier this year. "Should it become available, we would love to be able to offer this vehicle in Australia once issues such as charging infrastructure are resolved."