Toyota: EVs Only in Europe From 2035

Japanese Automaker Forced to Go All-Electric in Europe

In recent months, Toyota has garnered tremendous media attention, having been castigated for its apparent unwillingness to quickly convert its vehicles into a completely electric power source all across the world. Furthermore, people have also been talking about their announcement of developing and selling Solid State Batteries or SSBs; these will enable the next-generation of EVs to achieve a range of over 900 miles per single charge.

Despite this current occurrence, the Japanese auto manufacturer will persist to market hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuelled vehicles for the present decade, with the intention to assemble 1.7 million electric vehicles on an annual basis by 2030, amongst a total of 3.5 million units, which comprise also ICE models and powered by hydrogen propulsion.

However, one key market – in Europe – will force Toyota to abandon its gasoline engine vehicles after the enforcement of a European Union statute requiring all new autos and vans sold from 2035 be zero-emitted. Unfortunately, with the very few hydrogen refueling facilities available throughout the region, it is unlikely that hydrogen powered automobiles will be an option; thus, making the electric vehicle power source the most feasible choice for the Japanese manufacturer due to its greater EV infrastructure in comparison to its hydrogen counterpart.

At the Automobile News Europe Congress, Matt Harrison, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, expressed that they do not back the European Union’s outlined Euro 7 regulation, which would necessitate car makers to reduce their fleets’ average carbon dioxide emissions by 55% from 2021 to 2030.

Furthermore, he doesn’t anticipate the norm to be abolished entirely, yet instead that it will be relaxed to “something more suitable”. Consequently, Germany and Italy voiced their resistance to the proposal, introducing a draft which would permit e-fuels in March.

By 2035, Toyota anticipates to be ready to completely shift to the sale of all battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The Japanese carmaker’s European chief operating officer predicts that from 2022 to 2025, their share of EV sales will rapidly expand from practically nothing to 15 percent, and further boost to 55 percent by the year 2030.

This goes hand in hand with the recently declared plans of the organization to boost EV manufacturing globally up to 1.7 million by the year 2030. It is said that solid-state batteries will make it possible for cars to run over 900 miles without having to be recharged.

Nevertheless, Toyota is not the only one that must comply with the law. All motor vehicle manufacturers wishing to remain operational and selling cars in the EU must adhere to the regulation.

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Source: Automobilwoche