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> But even if all drivers were totally ready to leap to EVs, Toyota argues hybrids would still make sense. Because their batteries are so much smaller, a compan
by gnicholas 4y ago
> But even if all drivers were totally ready to leap to EVs, Toyota argues hybrids would still make sense. Because their batteries are so much smaller, a company can build far, far more hybrids than EVs from the same battery resources.
This is an interesting question, and depends on how readily available battery materials are, and what environmental harm is done by mining them rapidly.
For example, it's possible that Toyota can use X amount of battery to increase the mileage on 10 hybrids from 30 mpg to 40 mpg, whereas a single EV would use the same amount of battery and increase the gas mileage from 30 mpg to infinity. Depending on how much that one EV is driven, versus the 10 hybrids, it could reduce emissions further to go the hybrid route.
An alternative hypothesis: Toyota loves just-in-time delivery in its manufacturing process. Maybe they're doing the same thing here, at a larger scale. Once there are plenty of charging stations and consumer demand, they'll build EVs (but no sooner!).
- misterhtmlcss 4y agoToyota is under stating it because they don’t want to draw the attention of the green mob. Hybrid with a fully electric drive train is the best and most efficient vehicle choice for the environment and consumer in most cases. Sorry I don’t have a link, feel free to ignore me for not having a source.
- ianai 4y agoRight. There really are people who need to tow a truckload 300+ miles on a charge at highway speeds with the AC running. Or camping for a day or two without refueling out remote. Telling such people their use case’s don’t matter or are unrealistic is a losing strategy. Those arguments are naive of a large part of the world. Then there’s apartment dwellers-in the boonies.