Get Electric Vehicle system -> Electric vehicle system Guide for Toyota bZ4X SUV First Generation (2022-2024)

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

2-1.Electric vehicle system

Electric Vehicle system features

Battery electric vehicles are considerably different from con-

ventional vehicles.

They use electricity charged in a traction battery, to drive the

electric motor. Since battery electric vehicles are driven using

electricity, they do not emit any emissions such as CO₂(Car-

bon Dioxide) and NOx (Nitrogen Oxides). Battery electric

vehicles are environmentally friendly vehicles.

System components

The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual

item.

ESU: Electricity Supply Unit (built in onboard traction battery

charger/DC-DC converter)

Electric motor (traction motor)/Inverter (front/rear^*)

Traction battery

Provides electricity to the electric motor.

Charging port

12-volt battery

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

Provides electricity to various vehicle systems such as the SRS airbags,

headlights, wipers, etc.

*

: AWD models only

■ When braking (regenera-

■Regenerative braking

tive braking)

In the following situations, kinetic

energy is converted to electric

energy and deceleration force can

be obtained in conjunction with the

recharging of the traction battery.

The electric motor (traction

motor) charges the traction bat-

tery.

The driving range can be

●The accelerator pedal is released

while driving with the shift position

in D.

2

extended by actively using this

regenerative braking to store

electricity in the traction battery.

●The brake pedal is depressed

while driving with the shift position

in D.

■Charging the 12-volt battery

Charging

The 12-volt battery is charged from

the traction battery when the EV

system is operated or while the trac-

tion battery is being charged.

The battery electric vehicle is

driven using electricity, which is

received from an external power

source and stored in the traction

battery. Not only public charging

stations, but also household out-

lets can be used for charging.

Procedures are different from

refueling a conventional vehi-

cle. Therefore, make sure to

read the following thoroughly.

If the vehicle has not been used for

a long time, the 12-volt battery may

become low due to self-discharge. If

this occurs, follow the correct proce-

dures. (P.543)

■When not using the vehicle for

an extended period of time

●When the vehicle will not be used

for an extended period of time,

charge the traction battery once a

month.

This protects the traction battery

from extreme voltage decline due

to self discharging.

 Charging equipment (P.85)

 AC charging cable (P.87)

 Power sources that can be

used (P.102)

●When the vehicle will not be used

for an extended period of time, the

12-volt battery will be charged

from the traction battery to reduce

the risk of the 12-volt battery dis-

charged. In this case, the cooling

fan may operate, however it is not

a malfunction.

 Things to know before

charging (P.102)

 How to charge your vehicle

(P.105, 113)

●To prevent the 12-volt battery from

being discharged, do not leave the

charging port lid open or the

charging cable connected to the

vehicle.

 When charging cannot be

performed normally (P.133)

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

■Charging the traction battery

or stops.

Be sure to maintain the traction bat-

tery charge level suitable for your

driving needs.

●Relay operating sounds such as a

snap or soft clank will be emitted

from the traction battery in the fol-

lowing situations:

If the traction battery fully dis-

charges, the vehicle cannot be

driven at all. When the battery

becomes low, charge it as soon as

possible.

• When the EV system is started or

stopped

• When charging starts or com-

pletes

• When the vehicle is driven the first

time after the traction battery has

been charged using DC charging

■If the traction battery becomes

low

●If the traction battery becomes

low, the traction battery charge

warning light comes on or flashes

and a message will be displayed

on the multi-information display.

(P.517)

●Sounds may be heard due to

regenerative braking when the

brake pedal is depressed or as

the accelerator pedal is released.

●Cooling fan operating sounds

from the radiator.

●If the traction battery is completely

discharged, the EV system cannot

be started and driving will not be

possible. When the traction bat-

tery becomes low, charge it as

soon as possible.

●The operation sound of the air

conditioning system (air condition-

ing compressor, blower motor).

■Maintenance, repair, recycling,

and disposal

Contact your Toyota dealer regard-

ing maintenance, repair, recycling

and disposal. Do not dispose of the

vehicle yourself.

■Sounds and vibrations specific

to an battery electric vehicle

Because there is no engine sound

or vibration, it is easy to mistake the

battery electric vehicle for being off

when it is actually still running, as

indicated by the “READY” indicator

being illuminated. For safety, make

sure to always shift the shift position

to P and apply the parking brake

when parked.

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting

System

A sound which changes in

accordance with the driving

speed, will be played in order to

warn people nearby of the vehi-

cle’s approach. This sound may

be heard inside the vehicle. The

sound will stop when the vehicle

speed exceeds approximately

23 mph (37 km/h).

Before and after the EV system is

started, the following sounds and

vibrations may occur. However,

these sounds and/or vibrations are

not signs of malfunctions:

●The brake system operation

sound may be heard from the

front of the vehicle when the

driver’s door is opened.

●Motor sounds may be heard from

the motor compartment or lug-

gage compartment.

■Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Sys-

tem

●Electrical relay sounds may be

heard from the motor compart-

ment when the EV system starts

In the following cases, the Acoustic

Vehicle Alerting System may be dif-

ficult for surrounding people to hear.

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

●In very noisy areas

●In the wind or the rain

Also, as the Acoustic Vehicle Alert-

ing System is installed on the front

of the vehicle, it may be more diffi-

cult to hear from the rear of the vehi-

cle compared to the front.

2

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

Electric Vehicle system precautions

Be careful of the high voltage components (nominal voltage

at 355.2 V), such as the traction battery, electricity supply

unit, orange colored high voltage cables, and electric motor,

as well as high temperature components such as the cooling

radiator, which are provided on the battery electric vehicle.

For the high voltage components, warning labels are pro-

vided on them. Read them when they need to be handled.

System components

The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual

item.

Warning label

High voltage cables (orange)

ESU: Electricity Supply Unit (built in onboard traction battery

charger/DC-DC converter)

Service plug

AC charging inlet

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

DC charging inlet

Traction battery

Electric motor (traction motor)/Inverter (front/rear^*)

Air conditioning compressor

: AWD models only

*

■Starting the EV system in an

extremely cold environment

■Electromagnetic waves

●High-voltage parts and cables on

the battery electric vehicles incor-

porate electro-magnetic shield-

ing, and therefore emit

When the traction battery is

extremely cold (below approxi-

mately -22°F [-30°C]) due to the

temperature outside of the vehicle, it

may not be possible to start the EV

system. In this case, try to start the

EV system again after the tempera-

ture of the traction battery increases

due to the outside temperature

increasing, etc.

2

approximately the same amount

of electromagnetic waves as con-

ventional gasoline-powered vehi-

cles or home electronic

appliances.

●Your vehicle may cause sound

interference in some third party-

produced radio parts.

WARNING

■Traction battery (Lithium-ion

■High-voltage precautions

battery)

The vehicle has high voltage DC

and AC systems as well as a 12-

volt system.

The traction battery has a limited

service life.

The traction battery capacity (the

ability to store energy) reduces with

time and use in the same way as

other rechargeable batteries. The

extent at which capacity reduces

changes drastically depending on

the environment (outside tempera-

ture, etc.) and usage conditions,

such as how the vehicle is driven

and how the traction battery is

charged.

DC and AC high voltage systems

are very dangerous and can

cause severe burns and electric

shock that may result in death or

serious injury.

●Never touch, disassemble,

remove, or replace the high volt-

age parts, cables (orange) or

their connectors.

●The EV system will become hot

after starting as the system

uses high voltage. Be careful of

both the high voltage and the

high temperature, and always

obey the warning labels

This is a natural characteristic of

lithium-ion batteries, and is not a

malfunction. Also, even though the

driving range decreases when the

traction battery capacity reduces,

vehicle performance does not sig-

nificantly become worse. In order to

reduce the possibility of the capacity

reducing, follow the directions listed

on P.103, “Capacity reduction of the

traction battery”.

attached to the vehicle.

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

WARNING

●Do not touch the traction battery

if liquid is leaking from or

●Never try to open the service

plug access hole located under

the floor. The service plug is

used only when the vehicle is

being serviced and is subject to

high voltage.

adhered to it. If electrolyte

(Organic Carbonate-based

electrolyte) from the traction

battery comes into contact with

the eyes or skin, it could cause

blindness or skin wounds. In the

unlikely event that it comes into

contact with the eyes or skin,

wash it off immediately with a

large amount of water, and seek

immediate medical attention.

●If electrolyte is leaking from the

traction battery, do not

approach the vehicle.

Even in the unlikely event that

the traction battery has been

damaged, the internal construc-

tion of the battery will prevent a

large amount of electrolyte from

leaking out. However, if electro-

lyte leaks, vapors will be emit-

ted. These vapors are an irritant

to skin and eyes and could

cause acute poisoning if

■Road accident cautions

Observe the following precautions

to reduce the risk of death or seri-

ous injury:

●Stop the vehicle in a safe place

to prevent subsequent acci-

dents. While depressing the

brake pedal, apply the parking

brake and shift the shift position

to P to stop the EV system.

Then, slowly release the brake

pedal.

inhaled.

●Do not bring burning or high-

temperature items close to the

electrolyte. The electrolyte may

ignite and cause a fire.

●Do not touch the high voltage

parts, cables (orange) and con-

nectors.

●If a fire occurs in the battery

electric vehicle, leave the vehi-

cle as soon as possible. Never

use a fire extinguisher that is

not meant for electrical fires.

Using even a small amount of

water may be dangerous.

●If electric wires are exposed

inside or outside your vehicle,

an electric shock may occur.

Never touch exposed electric

wires.

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

• Do not illegally dispose of or

dump the traction battery, and it

is hazardous to the environment

or someone may touch a high

voltage part, resulting in an

electric shock.

WARNING

●If your vehicle needs to be

towed, be sure to transport the

vehicle with the front wheels

(2WD models) or four wheels

(AWD models) raised. If the

vehicle is towed with the wheels

which are connected to the

electric motor (traction motor)

contacting the ground, electric-

ity generated by the operation of

the motor may cause a fire to

occur depending on the nature

of the damage or malfunction.

(P.509)

• The traction battery is intended

to be used exclusively with your

battery electric vehicle. If the

traction battery is used outside

of your vehicle or modified in

any way, accidents such as

electric shock, heat generation,

smoke generation, an explo-

sion and electrolyte leakage

may occur. When reselling or

handing over your vehicle, the

possibility of an accident is

extremely high because the per-

son receiving the vehicle may

not be aware of the dangers

from these modifications.

2

●Carefully inspect the ground

under the vehicle. If leaked liq-

uid (other than water from the

air conditioning) is found on the

ground, the traction battery may

have been damaged. Leave the

vehicle as soon as possible.

In addition, contact your Toyota

dealer with regard to the leak-

age found on the ground.

Even in the event of a minor

accident, the traction battery

and surrounding parts may be

damaged. In case of an acci-

dent, have the traction battery

inspected at a Toyota dealer.

●If your vehicle is disposed of

without the traction battery hav-

ing been removed, there is a

danger of serious electric shock

if high voltage parts, cables and

their connectors are touched. In

the event that your vehicle must

be disposed of, the traction bat-

tery must be disposed of by

your Toyota dealer or a qualified

service shop. If the traction bat-

tery is not disposed of properly,

it may cause electric shock that

can result in death or serious

injury.

■Traction battery

●Your vehicle contains a sealed

lithium-ion battery.

●Never resell, hand over or mod-

ify the traction battery. To pre-

vent accidents, traction

●For information about traction

battery collection locations, con-

tact information, or the recycling

process, contact your Toyota

dealer.

batteries that have been

removed from a disposed vehi-

cle are collected through your

Toyota dealer. Do not dispose of

the battery yourself. Unless the

battery is properly collected, the

following may occur, resulting in

death or serious injury:

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

WARNING

turns off the EV system and

blocks the high voltage current.

If the emergency shut off system

activates, your vehicle will not

restart. To restart the EV sys-

tem, contact your Toyota dealer.

■Caution while driving

●Pay special attention to the area

around the vehicle. Because

there is no engine noise, pedes-

trians, people riding bicycles or

other people and vehicles in the

area may not be aware of the

vehicle starting off or approach-

ing them, so take extra care

while driving. Therefore, take

extra care while driving even if

the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting

System is active.

Warning message

A message is automatically dis-

played when a malfunction

occurs in the EV system or an

improper operation is attempted.

●If the vehicle under floor area

receives strong shock or impact

while driving, stop the vehicle in

a safe place and check around

the bottom of the vehicle. If

there is damage to the traction

battery or liquid leakage, it may

lead to a vehicle fire, etc. Do not

touch the vehicle and immedi-

ately contact your Toyota dealer.

Even if no damage can be seen

under the floor, the traction bat-

tery may be damaged. If the

vehicle received an impact

under the floor, have the traction

battery inspected at a Toyota

dealer.

If a warning message is shown

on the multi-information display,

read the message and follow the

instructions. (P.140, 524)

■Modifications

Do not make modifications that

lower the height of the vehicle.

The traction battery in the under

floor area may come into contact

with the ground when the height

of vehicle is lowered. If the trac-

tion battery is damaged, a vehicle

fire may occur, possibly resulting

in death or serious injury.

■If a warning light comes on, a

warning message is displayed,

or the 12-volt battery is discon-

nected

The EV system may not start.

In that case, try to start the system

again. If the “READY” indicator does

not come on, contact your Toyota

dealer.

■When the traction battery is

Emergency shut off sys-

tem

completely discharged

When the EV system cannot be

started due to the traction battery

being completely discharged, restart

the system after AC charging or DC

charging. When charging, it is rec-

When a certain level of impact is

detected by the impact sensors,

the emergency shut off system

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

ommended to charge the traction

battery until the traction battery

charge warning light turns off in

order to ensure sufficient driving dis-

tance.

Battery Electric Vehi-

cle driving tips

Unlike the conventional

vehicles, the electricity con-

sumption efficiency of bat-

tery electric vehicles will

decline if they continue

driving on highways (or

freeways) or at high aver-

age speeds, causing the

possible driving distance to

reduce. Therefore, if the

remaining charge of the

traction battery is low, avoid

relying on the displayed

possible driving distance

too much as well as driving

on highways (or freeways).

Driving the vehicle at mod-

erate speeds, the traction

battery’s electricity con-

sumption can be controlled.

2

The following driving tips

will contribute to reduction

in the battery consumption

and increase in the driving

range.

Shift position operation

Shift the shift position to D when

stopped at a traffic light, or driv-

ing in heavy traffic, etc. Shift the

shift position to P when parking.

When shifting the shift position

to N while driving, there is no

positive effect on electricity con-

sumption. In the N, the traction

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2-1. Electric vehicle system

release the accelerator and gen-

tly apply the brakes. A greater

amount of electrical energy can

be regenerated when slowing

down.

battery cannot be charged. Also,

when using the air conditioning

system, etc., the traction battery

electricity is consumed.

(P.237)

Delays

Air conditioning

 Use the air conditioning only

when necessary. Doing so

can help reduce excessive

electricity consumption.

Repeated acceleration and

deceleration due to traffic con-

gestion, long waits at traffic

lights, and driving on steep

inclines will lead to poor electric-

ity consumption. In order to

avoid those situations as much

as possible, check traffic reports

before leaving. If the vehicle is

driven in traffic congestion, gen-

tly release the brake pedal to

allow the vehicle to move for-

ward slightly, avoid overuse of

the accelerator pedal. Doing so

can help minimize unnecessary

electricity consumption.

In summer: When the ambient tem-

perature is high, use the recircu-

lated air mode. Doing so will help to

reduce the burden on the air condi-

tioning system and reduce electric-

ity consumption as well.

In winter: Excessive or unneces-

sary heating should be avoided.

Also, electricity consumption can

be improved by avoiding overuse of

the heater.

 When using the Remote Air

Conditioning System

(P.409) while the AC

When braking

charging cable is connected

to the vehicle, electricity con-

sumption immediately after

starting off will be reduced

because air conditioning is

operated mainly using elec-

tricity from an external power

source.

Make sure to operate the brakes

gently and a timely manner. A

greater amount of electrical

energy can be regenerated

when slowing down.

Highway (or freeways)

driving

Checking tire inflation

pressure

Control and maintain the vehicle

at a constant speed. Before

stopping at a toll booth or simi-

lar, allow plenty of time to

Make sure to check the tire infla-

tion pressure frequently.

Owner's Manual_USA_M42G23_en

Electric Vehicle system -> Electric vehicle system for Your Toyota bZ4X SUV First Generation (2022-2024)

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