The production version of the Lexus LF-ZC or Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyst was the start of a new family of Lexus EV models riding on a dedicated EV platform. It was supposed to debut cutting-edge production methods such as giga casting and hyper-automated factories enroute to making Lexus competitive in the EV landscape, transforming it into an EV-only brand by 2035.

“We decided to cancel the LF-ZC development project as part of a company-wide review of vehicle development projects,” a Toyota spokesperson said. “The cancellation of this specific development project does not mean we have given up on developing next generation BEVs.”

Before its cancellation, the production version of the LF-ZC has already faced a postponement. Originally slated for a launch this year, that timeframe was already revised to a 2027 reveal.

That said, Lexus is not abandoning BEVs altogether. The brand is still on course to launch a flagship electric supercar as a successor to the LFA. This serves as a counterpart to the Toyota GR GT.

In addition, knowhow and technologies gained from the development of the LF-ZC, such as advanced batteries and gigacasting, will be put to use in other next-generation models which are mostly SUVs or crossovers.

Currently, models such as the Toyota bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and even the Lexus TZ all use a modified version of the existing TNGA platform. This allowed added flexibility allowing for the adoption of different powertrains if needed.

This same thinking will be applied to Toyota’s upcoming platform which include the all-new Corolla. This may share the Lexus LF-ZC’s streamlined design and low stance, but rides on a platform flexible enough to accommodate not a BEV powertrain, but HEV and conventional ICE powerplants as well.