Japan's Toyota Motor says it will launch its first mass-produced EV in the domestic market next month.

Toyota says retail prices of the SUV will start at 6 million yen, or about 48 thousand dollars, but initially it will be available only through a monthly subscription plan.

The company says it chose this system as a way to let consumers try EVs without a large initial outlay.

Toyota executives hope the try-before-you-buy approach will allay consumer fears about maintenance costs and the ease of finding charging stations.