One EV Pollutes Like Three Hybrids - Toyota Chief

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda recently voiced skepticism about the environmental benefits of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), suggesting that they may not always be the greenest option.

He argued that hybrids could offer a more effective path to reducing emissions, especially in regions where electricity is still largely generated from fossil fuels. In a recent interview with Automotive News, Toyoda claimed that the environmental impact of one EV could be equivalent to that of three hybrids.  


He emphasized Toyota’s continued commitment to carbon neutrality, highlighting that the company’s 27 million hybrid sales have already contributed emissions reductions comparable to those of 9 million BEVs.

“In Japan, where most electricity comes from thermal power plants, producing and charging 9 million BEVs would actually result in higher carbon emissions,” Toyoda noted.

His remarks underscore the automaker’s "multi-pathway" strategy, which advocates for a diverse mix of powertrains including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and BEVs tailored to each region’s infrastructure and energy mix.

The exec also raised concerns about the economic impact of a rapid, EV-only transition, warning that it could threaten jobs in countries like Japan, where internal combustion engine production still plays a major role.

Contrary to Toyoda’s assertions, the Malaysian automotive market is clearly moving toward electrification.

JPJ's latest vehicle registration data reveals substantial growth in EV registrations, with a 58.5% increase year-to-date (January–May 2025) and 69.3% year-on-year in May. Hybrid registrations also showed significant increases, recording 23.2% YTD growth and a 44.1% rise in May compared to the previous year.

These numbers show rising consumer confidence in EVs and signal Malaysia’s growing readiness to adopt cleaner transportation. The trend underscores a national commitment to sustainable mobility, even as global discussions continue over the best path to carbon neutrality.