Photo Credit:Erick Ayapana
Toyota, long recognized for its pioneering role in hybrid technology with the introduction of the Prius nearly three decades ago, is now planning a bold shift towards hybrid-only models across its Toyota and Lexus lineups. The move could potentially see the Japanese automaker becoming the first legacy car manufacturer to phase out gasoline-only vehicles entirely.
While the automotive industry races toward an electric future, Toyota has taken a different route, focusing on hybrids instead of fully electric vehicles (EVs). This approach reflects Toyota's broader strategy, which challenges the widely accepted notion that the future of transportation will be exclusively electric. Instead, Toyota advocates for a "multi-pathway" strategy that includes a mix of EVs, hybrids, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, green fuels, and emerging technologies.
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has been vocal about his belief that EVs will account for just 30% of the global automotive market, a view that contrasts sharply with the ambitions of other automakers and regulators who envision a near-total transition to electric vehicles. This stance has shaped Toyota's product planning and development decisions.
According to David Christ, head of sales and marketing for Toyota in North America, the company is evaluating each car line to determine whether transitioning to hybrid-only models makes sense. This assessment will be a key factor in decisions surrounding every model redesign, with some changes potentially happening even sooner.
One of the most notable shifts could involve the RAV4, America's best-selling SUV, which already offers hybrid variants that make up about half of its sales. Toyota insiders suggest that the company is highly likely to discontinue the gasoline-only version of the RAV4 in North America by the 2026 model year, although no final decision has been made.
This move follows Toyota's recent decision to stop offering a gasoline-only version of its Camry sedan, the best-selling sedan in the U.S., for the 2025 model year. Other models, such as the Land Cruiser and Sienna minivan, are now available exclusively as hybrids.
In addition to hybrid-only models, Toyota is expected to expand its plug-in hybrid offerings, which feature larger batteries and greater electric-only driving ranges. This strategy underscores Toyota's commitment to reducing carbon emissions while still providing consumers with a familiar and practical driving experience.
Toyota's plan to convert its North American lineup to hybrid-only vehicles has not been widely reported until now, and it represents a significant shift in the automaker's approach to the future of mobility. As the industry grapples with the transition to greener technologies, Toyota's hybrid-first strategy may set it apart as a leader in sustainable innovation while challenging the all-electric orthodoxy that dominates the current discourse.
