Akio Toyoda Claims EVs Are Dirtier Than You Realize | Carscoops

      Toyoda advocates for Toyota’s multi-energy strategy and cautions against an exclusive focus on electric vehicles (EVs)

      Chairman Akio Toyoda stresses that achieving carbon neutrality is Toyota's foremost objective.

      He asserts that 27 million Toyota hybrids create a carbon footprint equivalent to that of 9 million electric vehicles.

      Toyoda contends that EVs can increase emissions when charged using fossil-fueled electricity, particularly in Japan.

      While electric vehicles dominate media coverage and political discussions, the path to a more sustainable future is not straightforward. At least, that’s the perspective of Toyota, the top-selling automotive brand in the world and a longstanding supporter of hybrid technology. As other manufacturers rush towards complete electrification, Toyota remains steadfast, carefully enhancing its EV offerings while reaffirming its commitment to hybrids.

      Despite recent advancements in China with the expanded bZ series, Toyota has faced criticism for its comparatively slow EV deployment. Nonetheless, according to Chairman Akio Toyoda, there is a rationale behind what critics interpret as reluctance. Renowned for his solid position on a multi-energy strategy, Toyoda reiterated the reasons Toyota has not aligned with the all-electric trend.

      In a recent interview with Automotive News, Toyoda stated, “When the term carbon neutrality became widely recognized, we declared as a company that our adversary is carbon. We must concentrate on immediate actions to lessen carbon dioxide. This principle guides our decisions. It remains unchanged and will continue to do so.”

      Why Hybrids Remain Important

      Toyoda highlighted Toyota’s legacy with hybrid vehicles, noting, “We have sold approximately 27 million hybrids. Those hybrids have had an impact equivalent to 9 million battery electric vehicles on the roads. However, if we had produced 9 million battery EVs in Japan, it would have actually resulted in higher carbon emissions instead of lower ones because Japan depends on thermal power plants for electricity.”

      Although the Toyota chairman did not elaborate on the calculations behind those statistics, he clearly intended to illustrate that EVs are not a universal solution. Indeed, while battery electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, that factor is merely part of the overall picture. The environmental consequences associated with manufacturing EVs and the electricity needed to recharge them present a more complex scenario. Furthermore, with the inconsistent charging infrastructure in many locations, it becomes clearer why hybrids still hold value, at least for the time being.

      The recently updated bZ4x is one of three electric models available in Toyota’s European lineup.

      Toyota's extensive experience in hybrid development dates back to the original Prius launched in 1997. Since then, hybrids have become a significant component of the company's global sales, with hybrid options available across nearly every Toyota model line. The demand remains particularly robust in markets like Europe and North America, where self-charging hybrids are often perceived as a practical, moderate step towards electrification.

      Even as EVs steadily increase their market share, there is still a substantial portion of consumers who are not completely sold on them, whether due to price, range apprehension, or inadequate infrastructure. Toyota appears well-positioned to cater to this middle ground.

      A Comprehensive Strategy, Not a Shift

      Toyoda’s multi-pronged approach involves more than just hybrids. He also endorses plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, battery EVs, and combustion engines powered by synthetic fuels. For Toyota, the focus is less about choosing just one technology to support and more about maintaining diverse options.

      “We should consider all possibilities and explore various avenues,” Toyoda remarked. “As a company, we have consistently communicated that our adversary is carbon dioxide.”

      This perspective isn’t new for Toyoda. He garnered attention last year for suggesting that, even in the long run, fully electric vehicles would only account for 30 percent of global sales. He also cautioned that a hasty transition to an EV-exclusive future could threaten 5.5 million jobs in Japan.