TOKYO, 16 November, 2022 – Today Toyota has released its fifth model of the Prius.
Response from Greenpeace East Asia climate and energy campaigner Daniel Read, based in Tokyo:
“The sale of more hybrid vehicles, including the Prius, drags us further into the climate crisis. In 1997, when the Prius was first released, it was on the cutting edge of low carbon transport. However, 25 years later, it is clear that hybrid vehicle technology is not sufficient to cap global heating at 1.5C.
Although hybrids have lower emissions than traditional combustion engine vehicles, only battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that is compatible with the Paris Agreements goals, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation. Last week, Greenpeace released a report that found Toyota is on track to sell an estimated 63 million more diesel and petrol vehicles, including hybrids, than is compatible with the 1.5C heating limit.
Battery electric vehicles have the lowest overall emissions of all auto types regardless of the composition of the energy grid, including in Japan. As the grid decarbonises, these gains become larger. However, in 2021, only one out of every 500 vehicles that Toyota sold was a battery electric vehicle.
By continuing to pour resources into hybrids, Toyota risks significantly worsening the climate crisis, as well as financial loss and the creation of stranded assets. Toyota must speed up its shift to zero-emission vehicles by phasing out petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles by 2030. The transition to zero-emission vehicles must be implemented alongside investment in battery recycling, decarbonisation of the steel supply chain, and a just transition for auto industry workers.”
END
Media Contacts:
Erin Newport, International Communications Officer, Greenpeace East Asia (Taipei), +886 958 026 791, [email protected]
Mitsuhisa Kawase, Senior Communications Officer, Greenpeace Japan, [email protected]