Chairman’s EV prediction

The chairman of Toyota predicts electric vehicles (EVs) will never make up more than 30 per cent of the global market.

Akio Toyoda told employees of the carmaker at a recent meeting that he expects the remaining 70 per cent will be fuel cell EVs, hybrids and hydrogen cars.

He also warns consumers should not be forced into buying particular powertrains, adding that they — “not regulations or politics” — should decide the make-up of fleets by being able to select whatever type of car fits their needs.

Toyoda, pictured, is calling for a “multi-pathway approach” to manufacturing vehicles rather than focusing on one particular type of technology and adds “the enemy is CO2 [carbon dioxide]”, reports the Telegraph.

He claims options other than EVs are required because one billion people worldwide live without electricity and the vehicles need charging infrastructure to operate.

Nevertheless, Toyota last year announced plans to increase its output of battery EVs from 1.5 million a year by 2026 to 3.5m in 2030.