Akio Toyoda: Electric Vehicles Aren’t Always More Environmentally Friendly

Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda expressed that electric vehicles (EVs) aren't necessarily the most eco-friendly option, as their production process can actually lead to increased carbon emissions.

He shared these views in an interview with Automotive News after receiving the Centennial Automotive News Award.

During the interview, Toyoda emphasized that Toyota’s main goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions using multiple approaches. The company refers to this as a Multi-Pathway strategy, offering a range of fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicle technologies — not solely focused on EVs.

“As carbon neutrality became a buzzword, we as a company made it clear that our real enemy is carbon. We must take immediate action to cut COâ‚‚ emissions. That principle guides our decisions and will remain unchanged,” Toyoda asserted.

He highlighted Toyota’s legacy in eco-friendly innovation, particularly as the first automaker to release a hybrid car back in 1997. Toyota hybrids, which combine gasoline engines with electric motors, have sold around 27 million units globally.

According to Toyoda, from a carbon-neutrality standpoint, both hybrids and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) contribute carbon emissions. In the case of BEVs, a significant portion of emissions can come from the manufacturing stage — especially if the production relies on electricity from non-renewable sources.

“We’ve sold approximately 27 million hybrid vehicles worldwide,” said Toyoda. “That’s equivalent to the environmental impact of 9 million BEVs already on the road.”

Toyoda gave a specific example regarding Japan: “If we were to produce 9 million BEVs in Japan, it would actually raise carbon emissions, not reduce them, because Japan’s electricity still heavily depends on thermal power,” he explained.