Lexus electric models, including hybrid and BEV cars, have captured a bug chunk of the Australian market and the LF-ZC and LF-ZL concepts show what can be expected in the very near future.
Lexus has set a significant benchmark in Australia by becoming the first luxury car brand to deliver 50,000 hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs and PHEVs). Since introducing Australia’s first luxury hybrid-electric vehicles in 2006, Lexus has sold 51,013 hybrids, including 820 PHEVs, and 658 fully electric BEVs. Electrified vehicles accounted for a record 60.4% of Lexus sales in Australia last year, rising to 75% by mid-2024, highlighting the brand’s leadership in electrified luxury vehicle sales.
Lexus CEO John Pappas emphasized that these milestones are crucial towards Lexus’s goal of offering only electrified vehicles by 2030 and exclusively BEVs by 2035. He noted that Lexus’s innovation in luxury and technology continues to meet customer demand for environmentally friendly and luxurious vehicles.
The best-selling Lexus hybrids in Australia are the NX and RX SUVs, with the NX line leading 2024 sales. Most customers prefer hybrids over petrol-only variants, especially for models like the ES sedan and RX SUV. Lexus’s hybrid technology is available across multiple models, with PHEV options in the NX 450h+ and BEVs like the UX 300e and RZ 450e. Lexus’s commitment to electrification has seen rapid customer acceptance, with the brand achieving significant sales growth without government incentives.
ABOVE: Lexus LF-ZC
Lexus BEV Concepts: LF-ZC and LF-ZL
Lexus debuted the two concepts at last year’s Japan Mobility Show, unveiling two battery electric vehicle (BEV) concepts that would make even the most fabulous parade float jealous. These futuristic designs highlight next-generation technology and hint at Lexus’s thrilling, electrified future, all while serving a look that says, “Honey, we’re here to slay.”
Lexus is committed to becoming a fully electrified brand by 2035.
Meet the next-gen zero-tailpipe emission BEVs: the LF-ZC (Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyst), set for an international debut in 2026, and the LF-ZL (Lexus Future Zero-emission Luxury) flagship concept. These models aren’t just about sustainability; they’re about making a statement and serving up eco-friendly realness.
Lexus’s approach to eco-friendliness is evident in the Bamboo CMF Concept. By weaving bamboo fibres into the interior, Lexus blends luxury with sustainability. Bamboo is fast-growing, boasts high CO2 absorption, and has been a staple in Japanese craftsmanship for centuries. Talk about a glow-up!
On the performance front, Lexus’s BEVs leverage advanced technologies like DIRECT4 all-wheel drive, ensuring seamless control and a thrilling driving experience with their Steer By Wire system. It’s like driving on the runway of life, honey!
Selected notable steps on the Lexus Electrified journey:
2006 Lexus introduces its first hybrids to Australia, the GS 450h luxury sedan and the RX 400h luxury SUV.
2007 Lexus LS 600hL – the world’s first V8-powered hybrid.
Lexus delivers its 1,000th hybrid luxury vehicle in Australia.
2009 Lexus Australia extends the hybrid battery warranty to 8 years/160,000km.
2011 The CT 200h arrives in Australia.
2013 New-generation IS hybrid goes on sale locally (164kW with 4.9 litres/100km)
The first ES 300h arrives.
Lexus delivers its 10,000th hybrid luxury vehicle to local customers.
2014 The NX 300h arrives
2015 The NX 300h, the most popular electrified Lexus in the range, sells an average of 1,000 units four years in a row.
2016 Lexus delivers its one millionth hybrid globally.
2017 Lexus Australia marks the sale of its 20,000th hybrid luxury vehicle – less than four years after the first 10,000 were sold.
Lexus LC 500h coupe and convertible
2018 LF-1 Limitless Concept crossover debuted at the North American International Auto Show – a car designed for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, full battery, ICE and fuel-cell mobility.
2019 LF-30 Concept debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show (the first Lexus BEV with AWD powered by electric motors on all four wheels)
2020 Lexus celebrates 30 years in Australia with one-third of all Lexus sales this year being hybrid. The local cumulative total passed 30,000 hybrid-electric vehicles.
2021 Lexus launches its first BEV in Australia, the UX 300e.
The global brand’s electrified vehicle sales pass the two-million mark.
2022 Lexus introduces its first PHEV locally, the NX 450h+ with up to 87km of electric-only driving range
2023 The fifth-generation RX debuts with the 273kW RX 500h F Sport Performance.
230kW RZ 450e arrives as a purpose-built as a BEV, and is the second fully electric vehicle.
Mid-year, Lexus delivers its 40,000th hybrid-electric vehicle in Australia.
Japan Mobility Show debuts the LF-ZC (Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyst) and the LF-ZL (Lexus Future Zero-emission Luxury) flagship. A production version of the LF-ZC is targeted for 2026.
Lexus brings the Electrified Sport to Australia for LANDMARK by Lexus at the Melbourne Cup Carnival, showing its vision for an exclusive all-electric sports car.
Close to year’s end, Lexus redefines the chauffeur-driven experience, launching the LM 350h and LM 500h offering the ultimate in personal luxury and hybrid powertrains.
Lexus Australia achieved a full-year record electrified share at 60.4% of its total sales.
2024 Lexus redefines compact luxury and driving efficiency with the arrival of the LBX, featuring a three-cylinder hybrid unit sipping just 3.8 litres/100km.
Electrified vehicles now account for more than 75 per cent of local volume (YTD June) as Lexus marks its hybrid and electrified sales milestones.
LF-ZC: A Catalyst for Change
The LF-ZC symbolizes Lexus’s electrified future, promising elevated driving dynamics, uncompromised design, and exclusive services. With a low centre of gravity, sleek proportions, and a roomy cabin, it embodies the fusion of form and function. Think of it as the Beyoncé of electric vehicles.
LF-ZL: Luxury Reimagined
The LF-ZL aims to redefine luxury, offering a prestigious ownership experience with next-gen BEV architecture and the Arene OS software platform. The spacious, relaxing cabin is designed with BEV-specific packaging, optimizing interior space and enhancing traditional omotenashi features for an unparalleled experience. It’s like a VIP lounge on wheels.
Interactive Reality in Motion
Arene OS brings the vehicle to life, learning and anticipating the driver’s needs for a personalized mobility experience. The system integrates with societal infrastructure, providing interactive reality in motion. When drivers point to objects or places of interest, the car’s display delivers information and voice guidance, enhancing the connection between driver and vehicle. It’s like having your own personal assistant, darling.
Big data ensures efficient charging and power supply management, seamlessly integrating the vehicle with societal infrastructure. This approach marries mobility solutions with the customer’s lifestyle, making sure you’re always ready to hit the town.
Intelligent Cockpit and Expansive Interior
The cabin design positions front occupants low and forward, creating a sense of space. A fully-flat floor and panoramic roof enhance the open feel. Controls are consolidated into digital pads within arm’s reach, making vehicle functions easily accessible. A distant view meter projects information onto the windshield, while digital mirrors minimize distractions, ensuring a focused driving experience. It’s giving future chic.
Futuristic Exterior Design
Lexus’s design theme, “Provocative Simplicity,” focuses on a bold presence with a refined, simple aesthetic. Aerodynamic performance is prioritized, resulting in a low centre of gravity and an exhilarating driving experience. The spindle body design, along with aerodynamic elements like air intakes and outlets, creates a visually engaging exterior. It’s not just a car; it’s a fashion statement.
Personalized Driving Experience
Advanced AI voice recognition personalizes settings for each driver, enhancing the driving experience. The Arene OS replicates various car operations, tailored to individual preferences, while Steer By Wire and OTA updates allow drivers to transfer virtual settings to real-world driving. It’s like having a custom playlist for your ride. What could possibly go wrong?
Next-Generation Production Technology
Lexus’s next-gen BEVs feature a new modular structure through gigacasting, splitting the vehicle body into three parts. This increases rigidity and vehicle dynamics, with the battery centrally positioned to integrate future advancements swiftly. A self-driving assembly line adds flexibility and cost savings to the production process. Efficiency meets elegance.
The LF-ZC and other future BEVs will incorporate advanced high-performance prismatic batteries, enhancing range and efficiency. This low-profile battery design contributes to a dynamic silhouette and a low centre of gravity, improving driving dynamics. It’s the perfect balance of beauty and brawn.
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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