During a presentation by Toyota BEV Factory president, Takero Kato, various updates were discussed, including the introduction of a simulated manual transmission. Kato covered a range of topics, from advancements in the production lines for Toyota’s electric vehicles to software enhancements aimed at making the cars more intelligent and efficient. Particularly notable was the discussion on an improved battery that could provide an impressive range of 1000 km (approximately 621 miles) for Toyota’s electric cars. With the U.S. government and auto industry transitioning away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles, Toyota is fully committed to producing electric vehicles and has set ambitious goals of selling 1.5 million units by 2026 and an additional two million by 2030.

Toyota is not the only automaker increasing its electric vehicle production. It is also not the sole company recognizing that EV drivers may long for the experience of a manual clutch. Other automakers, such as Dodge and Hyundai, have plans to implement simulated manual transmissions in their electric vehicles as well. Swedish company Koenigsegg has even developed a nine-speed, seven-clutch gearbox capable of mimicking a six-speed transmission. It remains uncertain whether these simulated systems will also include the possibility of stalling. Drivers may have to wait until 2026, when they release their virtual clutch too quickly, to find out.