Toyota makes startling comments about EVs

One of the world’s biggest automakers has revealed a stunning truth about electric vehicles.

One of the world’s biggest automakers has made several startling comments about electric vehicles (EVs).

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda doubled down on his belief that hybrids, not EVs, are the smarter and more sustainable option in many parts of the world.

In a recent interview, the grandson of Toyota Motor’s founder made a claim: that the brand’s 27 million hybrid cars have delivered the same carbon-cutting effect as 9 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

MORE: Powerful new e-bike ‘set to thrive’ in Aus

But in countries like Japan, where electricity largely comes from thermal (fossil fuel) power plants, he said making those same BEVs could have actually increased emissions.

“If we were to have made 9 million BEVs in Japan, it would have actually increased the carbon emissions, not reduced them. That is because Japan relies on thermal power plants for electricity,” Toyoda said.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport. Picture: Supplied

MORE: New $92m ‘Disneyland’ is ‘wildest ride ever’

Toyota is one automaker who has been slower to adopt full battery-powered models.

Despite selling over 10 million vehicles globally for the past two years, the company has one EV on the market, the bZ4X.

Toyota has focused its efforts heavily on hybrids, which made up more than 4.1 million of its sales in 2024 and a mere 139,892 were electric vehicles.

In Australia, Toyota sold 115,477 hybrids compared to just 977 EVs, with the RAV4, now available exclusively as a hybrid in Australia, has become the country’s best-selling SUV.

Toyota has been slower to adopt battery electric vehicles (BEVS) with only one model, bZ4X being offered in Australia. Picture: Supplied

MORE: Tesla’s huge Aus shift as Musk-Trump rift deepens

Toyota’s approach to reducing emissions is through a variety of technologies, not just BEVs.

“When the term carbon neutrality became popular, we said as a company the enemy is carbon. We have to focus on what we can do immediately to reduce carbon dioxide. That is the basis of our decision. It has not changed and will not change,” Toyoda said.

“We should look at all options and work in all directions. As a company, we have been very consistent in saying what we’re fighting against is carbon dioxide.”

Chairman Toyoda also suggested that pivoting too quickly to EVs could endanger jobs, especially in countries like Japan, where engine manufacturing remains a vital part of the economy.

While Toyota has begun rolling out EVs across the globe, the pace remains steady.

Its EV line-up is limited in comparison to rivals like BYD, Tesla and Hyundai.

Originally published as Toyota makes startling comments about EVs