Rahul Somvanshi
Toyota has pushed its electric Highlander back to the 2028 model year, roughly one year later than originally planned. The timing is awkward for a company that has spent years promising a broader electric lineup, since the three-row segment already has rivals on sale. Shoppers who wanted a family-sized electric Toyota in the 2027 window will need to look at other brands in the meantime. Toyota’s North American announcements are collected in the Toyota Motor North America pressroom.
The Highlander EV was originally slated for the 2027 model year, and production has moved to Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky, plant rather than Princeton, Indiana. Buyers will choose between two lithium-ion battery packs. The 77.0 kWh pack pairs with rear-wheel drive and carries an EPA-estimated range of 315 miles, while the 95.8 kWh pack comes with all-wheel drive and an estimated 320 miles. The vehicle will also offer vehicle-to-load capability rated at 3.3 kW, which lets owners power outside devices from the battery. Chief engineer Yoshinori Futonagane was quoted on the timing in a Nikkei Asia report published October 22, 2026. For background on powering a home from an EV, see our guide to EV home backup power systems.
The stated reason is a shortage of battery cells. Toyota draws cells from Prime Planet Energy & Solutions and CATL, and constraints on that supply have squeezed production plans. The problem reaches beyond the Highlander because the Lexus RZ, built on the e-TNGA modular architecture it shares with the bZ4X, is also affected by cell availability. Lexus RZ global sales fell 18 percent in 2026 from a year earlier, a drop partly blamed on battery-electric software issues. Toyota’s hybrids continue to anchor its sales, a point the Toyota RAV4 hybrid sales figures make clear.
Kia already sells the EV9 as a 2026 model, giving the Korean brand a three-row electric option while Toyota’s version waits. Ford is preparing a refresh of the Mustang Mach-E for the first quarter of 2027, though the Mach-E is a five-seat crossover and competes in the broader electric SUV market rather than the three-row segment. By the time the Highlander arrives, buyers will have had at least two model years of the EV9 to compare against. Search interest reacted quickly, with queries for “Toyota Highlander EV delay” rising about 450 percent and “Highlander electric SUV 2028” rising about 400 percent. Owners who tow with electric vehicles may also want to compare the electric truck towing capacity of competing models before buying.
Is the Toyota Highlander going electric in 2026? No. The electric Highlander now arrives with the 2028 model year rather than 2027, so no electric Highlander will be available this year. Buyers weighing an electric Toyota should check the EV tax credit eligibility rules for the models available now before deciding.
For now, ground in the three-row electric SUV segment has passed to Korean and American makers, and Toyota’s entry is pushed into 2028.
