Toyota Exec: Hybrid Practical Now, Electric Car Tech Immature
Electric vehicle technology is not yet mature enough and hybrid vehicles are a more practical solution for now, an executive at Toyota, Australia’s leading carmaker, said on May 2.
Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s sales director, said in an interview that they supported the government’s fuel-efficiency standards to limit vehicle emissions and promote the import of low-emission vehicles, but relying solely on electric vehicles was “overly simplistic”.
He believes that if only zero-emission vehicles are promoted, millions of Australian consumers will have no suitable choice, because there is currently no electric car on the market that can meet their needs.
“It’s too early, what electric car is currently on the Australian market that can tow 2.5 tonnes for 600km? No, it doesn’t exist. If we just move to zero-emission vehicles, how are you going to compete with people who tow caravans?
Australians who use their car for work, drive in the countryside or mines, and need more than 200 or 300 kilometers of range?” Hanley said.
Hanley also clarified that Toyota was not opposed to electric vehicle technology, and revealed that Toyota would launch its own electric vehicle in Australia by the end of the year. However, he insists that hybrids are still the more logical choice for now.
“We’ve spoken to the government and I think we represent the voice of the thousands of silent Australian consumers who use their cars for leisure, haulage and a lot of other activities.
I know some lobby groups accuse us of trying to prevent, Hinder or delay electrification, but not like that, we are just reflecting the real situation and reality of the market,” Hanley said.
The Toyota executive’s comments drew a response from EV advocates, with Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari saying EV technology had already proven itself in many other countries and was growing in popularity in Australia.
“When we hear these arguments, we need to pay close attention to the economic interests of the car companies. There are companies that haven’t taken the time to develop electric vehicles, and they don’t have enough understanding of the issue,” Jafari said.
Greenpeace campaigner Lindsay Soutar believes Australians will no longer accept weaker car pollution standards or delay action. Soutar noted that Toyota’s argument for promoting hybrid vehicles would also keep consumers dependent on fossil fuels for decades to come.
“Toyota has dragged its feet on pure electric vehicles, opting to promote hybrid and fuel cell technologies that will keep consumers paying the price of fossil fuels for decades to come.
In 2023, climate and cost of living Selling petrol cars during a crisis is ridiculous, Australians won’t be persuaded,” Soutar said.
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