When did Toyota start using electric power steering?
Toyota began using electric power steering in the late 1990s, with initial deployment on select models and markets and broader adoption by the mid-2000s. This shift marked a move away from traditional hydraulic systems toward electronically assisted steering.
This article traces the timeline of Toyota's adoption of electric power steering (EPS), explains what drove the change, and shows how EPS evolved alongside hybrids and advanced driver-assistance technologies in the decades that followed.
Early experiments and pilot programs
Automakers began testing EPS in the 1990s as a way to improve fuel efficiency, reduce steering effort, and enable tighter electronic integration with vehicle control systems. Toyota pursued these avenues as part of its broader efficiency and safety initiatives.
- Late 1990s: Toyota begins limited use of EPS in select vehicles and experimental programs as part of its efficiency initiatives.
- Early 2000s: EPS appears in a handful of Toyota models in limited markets, signaling a broader shift away from hydraulic systems.
- Mid-2000s: EPS becomes available on a wider range of Toyota passenger cars and hybrids, laying groundwork for later widespread adoption.
These milestones illustrate Toyota’s gradual transition from hydraulic to electric steering, driven by gains in efficiency and tighter integration with onboard electronics.
What drove the shift to EPS
Two core factors propelled Toyota's move to EPS: the potential for improved fuel economy through reduced parasitic losses, and the opportunity to better integrate steering with electronic stability control, lane-keeping assist, and other driver-assistance features. As electronics and sensors matured, EPS became a natural fit for a more connected, safer, and more efficient vehicle platform.
Widespread adoption and current status
Over the last decade, EPS has become the standard in most Toyota models worldwide, with designs tuned for hybrid efficiency and driver-assistance features. The technology is now deeply embedded in Toyota’s approach to steering and vehicle dynamics.
- 2010s: EPS becomes common across most Toyota models worldwide, often paired with drive-by-wire controls and stability systems.
- 2020s: EPS remains standard and continues to evolve with refined assist algorithms, integration with advanced driver assistance and safety packages.
In practice, EPS is now the default steering technology in Toyota's mainstream vehicles, reflecting a broader industry shift toward electric-assisted steering and smarter vehicle control.
Summary: Toyota’s adoption of electric power steering began in the late 1990s, expanded through the 2000s, and is now a foundational feature across its lineup. The shift has supported better fuel efficiency, easier integration with safety systems, and more responsive steering across Toyota’s cars and hybrids.
