At a time when a large part of the automotive industry is moving towards total electrification, Toyota has once again placed itself at the center of controversy. This time, its president Akio Toyoda has questioned the supposed environmental superiority of electric cars, stating that, under certain conditions, they can pollute more than hybrids.

During a recent intervention, Toyoda made a statement that has generated wide debate among engineers, manufacturers and environmentalists: "9 million electric cars emit as much as 27 million hybrids." That phrase, beyond its forcefulness, raises a direct comparison between two technologies that have coexisted in recent decades, but that compete to lead the future.

Toyoda warns that the environmental impact of a car should not be measured only by emissions when driving, but by its entire life cycle, including manufacturing and the energy source used to charge the batteries.

"An electric car generates the same emissions as three hybrids during its life cycle," he said.

As I have explained, in countries where electricity is largely produced from fossil fuels - such as Japan, which still relies significantly on thermal power plants - an electric vehicle can end up generating more CO? than a conventional hybrid.

What the scientific data says

Despite the Japanese executive's statements, various scientific studies contradicted his vision. Research published by IOP Science reveals that while electric vehicle manufacturing generates more emissions initially (between 11 and 14 tons of CO?), this difference is offset during use. In comparison, hybrids produce between 6 and 9 tons of CO? during manufacturing. Thanks to their energy efficiency—electric vehicles convert more than 90% of electricity into useful movement—While combustion engines only achieve between 20% and 40%—, electric engines match the environmental performance of a hybrid in just 2.2 to 2.4 years of use.

In the case of a gasoline car, the tie occurs even earlier: between 1.3 and 1.6 years, according to IOP analyses.

The Argonne National Laboratory in the United States maintains a similar argument: after traveling between 31,000 and 45,000 kilometers, an electric car begins to generate fewer emissions than a comparable hybrid, due to its energy efficiency and the progressive reduction of CO? in electrical grids.

The case of China and regional contrasts

One of the most illustrative examples is China, a country with one of the most polluting energy matrices in the world, due to its high use of coal.

However, a study by Tsinghua University shows that even there electric vehicles emit between 20% and 30% less CO? throughout its life cycle than a similar hybrid.

Globally, an analysis by the journal Nature concludes that in more than 95% of the planet's regions, electric cars emit fewer greenhouse gases than cars with combustion engines, whether hybrid or conventional.

An anti-electric message or a call for caution?

Akio Toyoda is not a direct critic of electric cars, but he is a firm advocate of a gradual transition. His vision is based on what he calls a multi-technology approach, which includes battery electric cars, hybrids, fuel cell electric cars, and more efficient combustion engines.

“An electric car generates the same emissions as three hybrids over its life cycle,” he repeated, insisting that not all countries are ready for mass adoption of electric vehicles without a clean electricity grid.

This type of discourse has been interpreted by many as a conservative stance that stifles innovation, while others see it as a realistic call not to blindly rely on a single technology.

Toyota, which has led the hybrid market since 1997 with models like the Prius, has sold more than 27 million hybrid units worldwide. Despite this, the company also plans to sell 3.5 million electric vehicles per year by mid-2030, with a range of 30 different models.

Growing pressure from environmental activism

Toyoda's message did not go unnoticed by organizations such as Greenpeace, which has harshly criticized Toyota's strategy, considering that it does not respond decisively enough to the climate emergency.

The NGO has asked the Japanese brand to set more ambitious goals to reduce emissions before 2035 and to commit to more aggressive electrification, as other leading brands in the sector are already doing.

Manufacturers such as Ford, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have established roadmaps in which electric vehicles will play a leading role. However, everyone recognizes that, in the short term, intermediate solutions—such as plug-in hybrids or optimized combustion engines—are also necessary.

United States and Europe: More Favorable Environments

In markets with cleaner electricity grids, such as the United States and much of Europe, electric vehicles already far outperform hybrids in terms of overall emissions.

These countries have made progress in decarbonizing their electricity, allowing the benefits of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) to be reflected from the first years of use.

Furthermore, stricter environmental regulations and government incentives—such as tax credits of up to $7,500 in the US—are accelerating the adoption of 100% electric cars in these territories.

China, for its part, has begun to reduce its dependence on coal and strengthen its commitment to renewable sources, which in the medium term will also tip the balance even further in favor of electric vehicles in environmental terms.

And what should the consumer think?

For the average user, the debate may seem technical, but it has practical consequences. Choosing between a hybrid and an electric vehicle depends not only on price, but also on the energy context where you live, your driving habits, and access to charging infrastructure.

If you live in a city with good electric charging coverage and your energy comes from clean sources, a BEV is often the greener option. If, on the other hand, your electricity relies largely on fossil fuels, a hybrid may represent a better balance between environmental impact and cost.

In terms of prices, electric vehicles are still more expensive on average than hybrids. For example, a mid-range electric sedan can cost between $35,000 and $45,000, while a similar hybrid ranges from $25,000 to $32,000, although this varies by make, country, and model.