New Campaign Calls on Toyota to Build for Our Future
Public Citizen calls on Toyota to roll out all EV line-up by 2030
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Public Citizen today called on Toyota Motor Corp. to phase out its complete line-up of internal combustion engines and hybrid consumer vehicles by 2030 as part of a new campaign against the Japanese-based automaker.
“A safe future depends on urgent action from companies like Toyota,” said East Peterson-Trujillo, clean vehicles campaigner with Public Citizen. “As the world’s largest auto manufacturer, Toyota must play a leadership role in putting electric cars on the road. If Toyota is going to begin building for our future, it will need to fully electrify its line-up.”
Public Citizen is calling on Toyota to:
- Phase out internal combustion engine vehicles globally (including hybrids and plug-in hybrids) by 2030;
- Align the company’s global advocacy and lobbying with the goal of phasing out internal combustion engines, and supporting policies that promote a 100% renewable energy economy-wide;
- Ensure 100% renewable energy use throughout its supply chains globally by 2035, with a particular focus on ensuring that only green steel is used in car manufacturing by 2035.
During President Trump’s administration, Toyota backed efforts to stop California from setting higher emissions standards than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While the company recently acknowledged the state’s authority to set higher standards, Toyota continues to oppose policies that would accelerate the transition to fully electric cars.
“For five decades, Public Citizen has demanded auto makers increase fuel efficiency to save consumers money and reduce pollution,” said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen. “Now it is imperative that car makers transition to fully electric cars. The world’s largest manufacturer should be a leader, not a laggard – and our campaign will ensure Toyota at least catches up to the pack.”
The campaign announcement comes a day before President Joe Biden will visit Detroit’s North American International Auto Show where he will tout parts of the Inflation Reduction Act that will incentivize auto manufacturers to roll out more EVs.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Commerce Department announced a $52.2 million award to the “Global Epicenter of Mobility,” a Detroit regional program aimed at assisting Michigan’s automotive sector transition to EVs and autonomous vehicles.