Lexus on Monday revealed a hybrid subcompact crossover for the European and Japanese markets—one which’s being marketed with the identical controversial “self-charging” language that the Toyota luxurious model has used for hybrids prior to now.

The 2024 Lexus LBX is the model’s smallest mannequin but. At 165 inches lengthy, it is a foot shorter than the Lexus UX. That diminutive measurement means the LBX is unlikely to achieve the U.S. It is primarily based on the identical TNGA-B platform because the Toyota Yaris Cross, one other mannequin not offered within the U.S.

2024 Lexus LBX (Europe spec)

The only out there powertrain combines a 1.5-liter inline-3 with a single electrical motor for a complete system output of 134 hp despatched to the entrance wheels. The press launch describes this powertrain as “a new-generation self-charging Lexus hybrid electrical system.”

The “self-charging” time period has been utilized by Lexus in Europe and different markets as a technique to pitch hybrids in opposition to EVs, the argument being that hybrids provide a point of electrification with out the effort of plugging in. It is also a recipe for confusion, a lot in order that it impressed a regulatory crackdown in Norway—one of many friendliest international locations for EVs.

These regulators and client teams have seen the time period as complicated, because it implies that it costs the battery by means of another means like photo voltaic vitality, inductive charging, and so on., when it is merely operating the gasoline engine extra (and harnessing regen braking). 

2024 Lexus LBX (Europe spec)

Previous to that, Lexus was utilizing the phrase “all the time charged,” which is way more easy. That was when Lexus was pitching its hybrids as alternate options to EVs.

Now that Lexus has a few of EVs of its personal—together with the UX 300e being offered alongside the LBX in Europe—in addition to the wonderful NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, “self-charging” is a complicated technique to pitch a brand new hybrid mannequin. If nothing else, some would possibly confuse the LBX for an EV with automated charging—which is a unique factor.

There’s lots of automated charging for EVs at present in take a look at—this robotic EV charger in a Texas airport, for instance. Is that nearer to self-charging?