Toyota working against faster adoption of EVs

The company wants gas-electric hybrids & hydrogen-fuelled vehicles to play a bigger role instead.

Toyota is reported to be working on slowing the global automotive industry's shift to electric vehicles. According to a media report, the company wants gas-electric hybrids & hydrogen-fuelled vehicles to play a bigger role instead.

The report suggests that Chris Reynolds - a top executive in charge of Toyota's government affairs, recently travelled to Washington DC to oppose the aggressive approach taken towards the shift to EVs.

As mentioned earlier, Toyota has placed its bets on hydrogen vehicles and gas-electric hybrids. Hence, it is arguing that these technologies should play a bigger role in the industry's shift to 'greener cars'.

The company has invested in a technology (hydrogen fuel cells), which costs more and is far behind in development compared to electric batteries. Also, hydrogen, for use in passenger vehicles, is not readily available. The shift from IC-engined to battery electric vehicles can, hence, cost Toyota a lot of money and opportunities. It will also be very difficult for the brand to quickly adopt to the newer technology.

Toyota has been opposing the implementation of stronger emission standards and the EV mandates not only in the USA, but also the UK, Europe, Australia and even India. Toyota is said to have stated that India's goal of 100% EV adoption by 2030 is impractical. Toyota has sued Mexico over its fuel-efficiency standards and even fought against carbon taxes in Japan (its home market).

Source: NYTimes