The main argument for this position is the Japanese energy system. A significant portion of electricity in the country is generated by thermal power plants that burn organic fuel. Therefore, electric vehicles powered by such a grid can hardly be called truly environmentally friendly. Moreover, according to Toyoda, they can only increase the level of pollution.
However, opponents quickly noted: the environmental effect of electric cars is largely determined by where the energy comes from. For example, in California, where solar and wind power are actively used, the Tesla Model Y emits half as much CO? per mile as the Prius hybrid. Even in US states where coal generation prevails, electric vehicles do not lose to hybrids in terms of emissions.
Researchers also remind: although the production of an electric car is indeed accompanied by a larger carbon footprint due to battery manufacturing, this difference disappears after 19–28 thousand kilometers of driving. That is, after just a few years of use, an electric vehicle begins to justify itself from an environmental point of view.
Despite Toyota's cautious position, the global trend is clear: the movement towards electric transport is only accelerating. In most countries, hybrids are perceived only as a transitional step. And the main question today is not whether the era of electric vehicles will come, but whether Toyota can remain among its leaders — or will it have to cling to the past.
