Toyota, traditionally lagging in EV development, plans to convert most of its lineup to hybrids. This move builds on years of hybrid advancements and signals Toyota’s shift away from gasoline-only vehicles, underscoring its dedication to hybrids within its broader EV and alternative energy initiatives.
Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, is on the brink of phasing out gasoline-only vehicles in favour of a hybrid-dominated lineup in North America, signalling a major shift nearly three decades after the launch of the Prius, its iconic hybrid model. This strategic pivot, revealed by two Toyota executives, emphasizes the company’s dedication to a “multi-pathway” approach, balancing electric vehicles (EVs) with hybrids, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, and potentially other emerging technologies. Toyota’s North American head of sales and marketing, David Christ, highlighted the company’s intent to assess the feasibility of transitioning each car line to hybrids, a decision prompted by model redesigns or sooner.
This move could potentially make Toyota the first legacy automaker to eliminate traditional gasoline-only cars despite its slower adoption of fully electric vehicles compared to industry trends. The RAV4, America’s top-selling SUV, which already offers hybrid variants making up about half of its sales, is likely to see its gasoline-only version discontinued in its 2026 redesign. Similarly, the Camry, America’s preferred sedan, will cease its gasoline-only option from the 2025 model year.
Toyota’s gradual shift towards hybrids and the potential introduction of more plug-in hybrids is a strategic response to the slow uptake of EVs, which is attributed to high prices and charging challenges. The company’s hybrids, which seamlessly transition between gasoline and electric power without the need for external charging, alongside plug-in models that can cover significant distances solely on battery power, are becoming increasingly appealing. With stringent U.S. emissions regulations set to tighten from the 2027 model year through 2032, Toyota’s expanding hybrid lineup could save the company billions in regulatory costs while buying time to enhance its EV technology.
This approach not only reinforces Toyota’s dominant stance in the hybrid market but also aligns with the broader industry’s gradual shift towards more sustainable vehicle options. As Toyota plans to convert about 30% of its global fleet to EVs by 2030, its continued investment in hybrid technology, including a new battery plant in North Carolina, underscores its commitment to a diversified, environmentally conscious future in automotive technology.
