Toyota Remains Stuck in Reverse on Electric Vehicles, Slowing Down Transition to Clean Transportation

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, a Toyota representative testified before Congress that the automaker was skeptical of battery electric vehicles and touted its commitment to hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the latest in a long string of actions the automaker has taken to spread misinformation and slow down the transition to electric vehicles in the United States.

Battery electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, but Toyota still doesn’t have any fully electric cars on the market in the United States. Toyota’s CEO has also recently spread misinformation about electric vehicles, falsely stating they increase carbon dioxide emissions.

In the face of a growing climate emergency, Toyota is one of the automakers still lobbying the Biden administration to return to much weaker fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards, far from sufficient to protect our climate and the health of our communities.

In response to Toyota’s testimony, Katherine Garcia, Deputy Director of National Policies for Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement: 

“Toyota’s testimony makes it clear: The automaker refuses to look past the Prius, which was innovative back in 2000. From aligning itself with the Trump administration against ambitious clean car standards to delaying the inevitable transition to electric vehicles under the Biden administration, Toyota remains stuck in reverse and committed to the internal combustion engine. 

“The automaker needs to stop standing in the way of improving air quality and tackling the climate crisis. As chair of the Alliance for Automobile Innovation, Toyota should lead its cohort of manufacturers into the 21st century, which will be recognized for advancing family-sustaining, domestic clean transportation and clean energy jobs.”