In response to "Hybrid Cars Enjoy a Renaissance as All-Electric Sales Slow"

By: Chris Alimenti, EVA Member

I'm disappointed to see the New York Times give credit to a company like Toyota that is choosing to double down on a backwards hybrid-only sales strategy when the current climate crisis demands that we move toward all-electric vehicles (Hybrid Cars Enjoy a Renaissance as All-Electric Sales Slow).

When I bought my first EV over 7 years ago, I was an early adopter. Now, EVs are becoming mainstream and more popular than ever – the NYT even states that Americans bought a record 1.2 million electric vehicles last year. However, in 2023 Toyota sold less than 15,000 EVs. And yet, to capitalize on booming demand for EVs, Toyota launched a marketing campaign promoting a line-up of “electrified" vehicles, which mostly includes 20-year-old gas-powered, pollution-emitting hybrids. These hybrids are not electric vehicles.

If Toyota achieves their goal to "crack 40 percent electrified sales in 2024," it will be because Toyota effectively deceived its customers into buying gas-powered hybrids, not because it's offering affordable all-electric vehicles. In 2024, I would like to see Toyota commit to going all-electric. Consumers want it, and our environment requires it.

Chris Alimenti has been an EV driver for over 7 years. She lives in Chicago, IL and is a member of the Electric Vehicle Association.