The FT-EV name from Toyota should sound familiar; this is mainly because they introduced their first urban electric car concept by this name earlier in 2009. The newest iteration, the FT-EV II Concept, is an improvement (at least that is the theory) on the iQ based predecessor. The most notable of these improvements—size.

2009 Toyota FT-EV II

2009 Toyota FT-EV II

Yes, the new Toyota FT-EV II Concept is almost a foot shorter, 10 inches to be exact, than its predecessor and the iQ. At 107.5 inches, the FT-EV II is probably one of the smallest and most capable cars of its type, especially when you consider it can still seat six people. Some of the space savings come from drive-by-wire technology, which has allowed Toyota to remove the pedal assembly and move the controls to a joystick. By opening up the available legroom, Toyota was able to create a small, but usable four-seat electric commuter. 

The top speed is estimated at 62 mph and the FT-EV II would have the same 56-mile range on a full charge as the previous concept. With the same performance, smaller size and what can only be described as a more futuristic look, the FT-EV II gives promise to the urban electric city car idea. Stay tuned for more and don’t be surprised when places like Paris, London, Tokyo and New York City start to jump on the micro electric bandwagon.