USA: Lexus launches ES with first battery-electric variants

Lexus has introduced the eighth-generation ES in the United States, marking the debut of battery-electric variants for the long-running luxury saloon. First deliveries are scheduled for April.

Both battery-electric variants are equipped with a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery integrated into the vehicle floor. The front-wheel-drive ES 350e features a single electric motor with 165 kW, while the all-wheel-drive ES 500e adds a second motor on the rear axle for a combined output of 252 kW.

The ES 350e offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 307 miles with 19-inch wheels, while the ES 500e reaches up to 276 miles. Larger 21-inch wheels reduce range slightly on both variants. Lexus puts the estimated 0–60 mph acceleration at 7.4 seconds for the ES 350e and 5.1 seconds for the ES 500e.

Charging is enabled via a NACS port, with Lexus supplying a CCS adapter for compatibility with existing infrastructure. Under ‘ideal conditions’, DC fast charging from 10 to 80 per cent can be completed in around 28 minutes at up to 150 kW, while AC charging at 11 kW takes approximately seven hours. Battery preconditioning is included to optimise charging performance.

The new ES 350e and ES 500e are the first fully electric models in the ES line-up and are based on a newly developed multi-pathway platform designed to support both combustion and electric drivetrains.

“The multi-pathway vehicle platform shared by the ES 350e and ES 500e models is a first not only for ES but also the Lexus brand,” the company states. A hybrid version, the ES 350h, is set to follow and will use the same architecture.

Both BEV models were first revealed in May of last year and will also go on sale in China and Europe.

The new ES also introduces updated digital features, including a 14-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver display running the latest Lexus Interface system. Over-the-air updates and connected services are supported, alongside wireless smartphone integration.

In terms of design, the model adopts styling cues from the LF-ZC concept and features improved aerodynamics, with a drag coefficient of 0.25 for the electric versions. Compared to its predecessor, the vehicle is larger in all key dimensions, increasing interior space and comfort.

Lexus confirms that the ES 350e will arrive at US dealerships in April with a starting price of 47,500 US dollars.

lexus.com