Toyota is moving the needle regarding hybrid vehicles, creating a market in which the only choice for consumers will soon be hybrid, PHEV, and EV models.
The days of purely gas-powered engines are numbered, especially at Toyota. That might sound strange, considering the world’s largest automaker is one of the slowest to EV adoption and stands strong against the transition to a pure EV lineup. That hasn’t stopped Toyota from developing more hybrid powertrains to bring electrified powertrains to the market, making it easy for drivers to enjoy the benefits of Toyota hybrid technology in nearly every vehicle.
The days are numbered
Toyota has already transitioned away from V8 engines in its consumer vehicles, and soon, the massive automaker might offer a lineup with mostly hybrid vehicles. This isn’t a big surprise, considering Toyota is the leader in this type of technology. The Prius has been around for more than two decades, giving the world a hybrid car that has led the way in fuel efficiency. Today’s push is less about efficiency and more about reduced carbon emissions. That said, the two will go hand-in-hand. With better hybrid powertrains, efficiency will increase, and drivers can save money on fuel.
When will Toyota eliminate gas-only powertrains
The conversation has begun at Toyota to figure out when it’s the right time to transition to a hybrid-only lineup. Of course, it wouldn’t only be a hybrid lineup; both Toyota and Lexus have at least one electric vehicle in the mix. When Toyota eliminates gas-only powertrains, the lineup will then include traditional hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. This could mean the future of shopping for Toyota vehicles means you can only choose from models that have an electrified powertrain under the hood.
What are signs of this change
The greatest signs of change for any automaker have to do with the increased sales of a specific vehicle group. This also has a bit of a strange reality to it. The sales of electrified vehicles now represent nearly 48% of Toyota’s overall sales. This figure was only 20% two years ago. This means that hybrids are a strong trend at Toyota. Soon, gas-only powertrains will be the minority at Toyota, but that’s part of the lineup design.
Have you noticed the change in powertrains for Toyota and Lexus? More models from these two brands have hybrid powertrains in the lineup than ever before. This shift in what Toyota produces could have forced the increase in hybrid sales.
Strong demand for Toyota hybrids
The movement toward more Toyota hybrid vehicles is evident. Not only has the automaker shifted away from V8 engines and toward more hybrid models, but this shift continues to ensure the automaker experiences strong sales and profits. In fact, Toyota reported record profits last year, which is a strong statement for a transition to hybrid models. This is the final piece of proof required to show Toyota that it’s on the right path toward a strong vehicle lineup.
Will Toyota make more EVs?
Last year, Toyota announced its plan to create ten EVs by the end of 2026 for both Toyota and Lexus brands. Once this is complete, new generations of EVs could arrive. This plan might be pushed back a little since the demand for EVs has cooled. The start of production of a three-row electric SUV was scheduled at Toyota’s Kentucky plant for 2025, but that’s been changed to 2026. Toyota also canceled plans to produce new Lexus electric SUVs in the United States by 2030. Instead, they will ship these models from Japan to the US.
This cooling of the electric vehicle market has caused many automakers to pull back on going to an EV-exclusive lineup. Some of these names include Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo.
What about large commercial vehicles?
As much as changes to consumer vehicles make sense to reduce emissions and add hybridization and electrification, these changes don’t make sense for large commercial vehicles yet. Many companies are researching new alternative fuel options, including a carbon-neutral e-fuel being developed by Porsche. These research efforts are still in the early stages, which means we could be years away from fuels that could change the landscape of commercial trucking.
The movement toward hybrid vehicles is evident, and Toyota is poised to change its entire lineup away from gas-only powertrains. It won’t be long before going to a dealership, which means you’ll have to buy a Toyota hybrid. Are you ready to make this transition in your next Toyota vehicle?
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