Toyota, the biggest automaker in the world, is under fire for not acting quickly enough to cut carbon emissions by increasing its production of Toyota EVs. Some environmentalists even claim that the company is opposed to efforts at climate mitigation.

The automaker, however, claims that it is committed to an all-electric future, but not all of its markets will be supplied simultaneously.

Toyota was formerly regarded as a leader in green transportation. In 1997, it unveiled the Prius, the first widely available hybrid car. The Prius had a tiny battery, an electric motor, and a gasoline-burning engine. Because of this,  drivers could significantly boost their fuel efficiency compared to conventional internal combustion engine-powered cars.

Performance of Toyota EVs

Toyota now offers hybrid versions of most of the remainder of its inventory thanks to the new technology and this has proven to be a sales sensation. The carmaker has sold 5.4 million hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs in the United States alone, out of a total global sales of 20 million.

Meantime, other automakers started making investments in all-electric vehicles, encouraged by tightening government regulations and the success of entrants like Tesla.

Toyota’s challenge with BEVs

Leaders at Toyota have long emphasized that battery-powered electric vehicles face fundamental engineering difficulties since they are slow to charge, demand large, expensive batteries, and have a still-limited driving range.

According to specialists in the auto industry, considering the recent advancements in technology, these criticisms are no longer applicable. Additionally, businesses have discovered a compelling commercial justification for EVs, with Tesla topping the list for luxury brands in the US right now.

Toyota’s new investment in EVs

Toyota plans to launch 30 electrified cars by 2030 as part of its new $35 billion investment, which was revealed in December 2021. However, this represents less than a quarter of the more than 130 vehicles it produces currently.

That may be because it also plans to spend the same amount on hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The future of EVs 

According to industry research company Gartner, sales of gasoline-powered vehicles will still account for around 50% of all vehicle sales in the early 2030s.

Mike Ramsey, a vice president at Gartner’s CIO Research Group still believes that in 10 years, 50% of new car sales will be gasoline.