Meet Toyota’s e-Palette, a boxy, electric, self-driving shuttle that’s more interested in redefining what a vehicle can do than getting from A to B. This is a mobile hub that can transform into a shop, an office or even a party room and can fit up to 17 people.
Seven years ago the e-Palette debuted as a concept at CES 2018, a weird and wonderful prototype that looked like a toaster on wheels. It evolved through a stint at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics where it ferried athletes at a leisurely 12mph. Now it’s a production reality, refined but still very much itself. At 195 inches long, 82 inches wide and 104 inches tall, it’s roughly the size of a Land Cruiser Prado but with a boxier footprint. Weighing 6,504 pounds, it’s no lightweight, yet its 201 horsepower electric motor pushes it to a respectable 50mph. A 72.8 kWh battery gives 160 miles range, chargeable to 80% in 40 minutes rapid charging or fully juiced in 12 hours from a standard outlet.
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Step inside, and the e-Palette has four fixed rear seats, three folding side seats as well as space for 12 standing passengers, meaning it can fit 17 people including the driver. Wide sliding doors, a low floor (adjustable to 10.6 inches) and a deployable ramp means everyone can get in, from wheelchair users to parents with strollers. Optional wheelchair locks and a large overhead display add practicality and the cabin’s modular design invites customization. Toyota sees it switching roles throughout the day, charging between gigs as a mobile storefront or entertainment pod.
At the front, a central driving position with a yoke-style steering wheel and steer-by-wire tech gives the cockpit a spaceship feel. A digital instrument cluster, two touchscreens and a cabin-monitoring display keep the driver informed, physical buttons on twin control panels handle the essentials. By 2028 they plan to roll out Level 4 autonomy where the vehicle can handle most driving tasks independently in specific conditions. An optional Automated Driving Kit with third-party hardware and software (cameras and LiDAR) integrates via Toyota’s standardized Vehicle Control Interface for safety and reliability.
Beyond being a shuttle, the e-Palette is a power source. It can supply electricity when stationary so it’s a lifeline in an emergency. Digital signage inside and out lets you display custom messages – from transit schedules to store promotions. That’s what makes the e-Palette so interesting – it’s not limited to one use. Toyota is testing it in Toyota Arena Tokyo and the experimental Woven City where it will be a people-mover, mobile shop and more. Demonstrations with dealers and local governments are underway to pave the way for wider adoption.
Now the catch: the e-Palette costs ¥29 million or about $196,400 making it Toyota’s most expensive vehicle, even more than the luxurious Century SUV. Japan’s Ministry of the Environment offers subsidies up to $107,200 but it’s still a lot of money.
