Toyota campaigns for EVs to meet carbon-cutting goals

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IN 2009 Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) introduced the Prius, a hybrid vehicle that sold mostly to early adopters. Since it was launched just over 200 have been sold even with the new, more pleasingly designed version came out just before the pandemic.

This trend may change soon as TMP is campaigning for carbon neutrality with the accelerated adoption of electrified vehicles whether by an battery electric vehicle (BEV), platform a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a full hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV). Collectively, Toyota calls these xEVs.  This adoption is prompted both by the enactment of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) which gives both fiscal incentives to producers and distributors and non-fiscal perks to buyers and introduction of more robust hybrid EV line-up.

Toyota’s aggressive introduction of hybrids across their line-up, in familiar models like the Camry, Corolla Altis, Corolla Cross, RAV HEV and of course, the Prius. Moreover, its luxury Lexus carries the RX450h, NX350h and NX350h Premier for the SUV line as well as the IS300h and 300h Premier, the ES 300h and, LS500h passenger car hybrids in its line-up. With all models combined, Toyota Motor Philippines leads the electrified vehicles industry with a 95 percent market share.

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“The positive impact of xEVs can only be observed once we achieve widescale adoption of these vehicles,” TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto said.

Based on the recent official figures from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI), as of end of June 2022, 1,013 total electrified vehicles have been sold. Brands including BYD, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai have either battery electric vehicles (BEV) or hybrids. In 2021, a total 843 EVs were sold and in and 2020 just 378. Previous to 2019, EVs were only a handful, counting 5 to 6 annually from various makers. Of the total 1,013 electrified vehicles sold in 2022 of 962 are Toyota and Lexus models.

Toyota believes that hybrids are the way to go in EV adoption in the Philippines. On one hand, the slow rate of growth of charging stations for example, has hampered BEVs from proliferating faster. This is the case throughout most of the ASEAN except in Singapore. Also, without the incentives under EVIDA that reduce the retail prices of electrified vehicles, adoption will be slower. HEVs on the other hand do not rely on charging from static renewable or fossil-fuel powered sources, but instead generate their own power through self-charging systems.

“Looking towards the future, we hope to further expand our xEV line-up and offer more choices for the Philippine market,” Okamoto added. “This is in line with Toyota’s challenge of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and continuing our pioneering role in environmental leadership towards all of society,” Okamoto added

Toyota believes in multiple pathways towards gaining speed and scale in achieving carbon neutrality. Globally, Toyota offers BEV, PHEV and the hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) which are being rolled-out to different regions based on the readiness of the market and infrastructure to power these vehicles with clean energy. As of date, Toyota and Lexus have sold more than 20 million units of their electrified models around the world helping reduce CO2 emissions by more than 160 million metric tons.

“The exponential growth and the rate of new xEV model introductions in the country are providing Filipino customers more options and easier access to greener technologies. We are optimistic that we can experience the environmental benefits of electrified vehicles with Toyota taking the lead while always ensuring ‘Mobility for All’ where “no one is left behind.”

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