Toyota chief executive Akio Toyoda claims that he is among the “silent majority” of those in the automotive industry questioning whether electric vehicles are the only way forward.
While recently speaking with reporters in Thailand, Toyoda once again reiterated his belief that the best way forward is to develop a host of different powertrain technologies, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen-powered, and battery-electric vehicles. This comes despite the fact that many of the world’s largest car manufacturers have already committed to all-electric futures.
“People involved in the auto industry are largely a silent majority,” Toyoda told reporters. “That silent majority is wondering whether EVs are really OK to have as a single option. But they think it’s the trend so they can’t speak out loudly…The right answer is still unclear, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to just one option.”
Toyoda has repeatedly refuted assertions across the industry that electric vehicles are the only way forward. He acknowledged that his efforts to convoy his point to stakeholders and government officials has proven tiring but told The Wall Street Journal that alternatives to EVs have started to receive a warmer reception among government officials and the media.
“Two years ago, I was the only person making these kinds of statements,” Toyoda noted.
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While a number of the world’s largest car manufacturers have made sweeping commitments to electric vehicles, their combustion-engine businesses are generating most of the profits needed to fund EV expansion plans.
During a press event in Thailand where Toyota unveiled an all-electric version of the Hilux, Akio Toyoda expanded on his belief that selling EVs isn’t the only way to achieve carbon neutrality.
“To achieve carbon neutrality, we must remember that carbon is the real enemy, not a particular powertrain,” he said. “And frankly, BEV’s are not the only way to achieve the world’s carbon neutrality goals. At Toyota we believe in creating a full portfolio of carbon reducing choices for our customers from hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles, battery electric cars, and fuel cell vehicles.”
