Toyota's Controversial 1:6:90 Rule: Prioritizing Hybrids Over EVs

[CoopersDad]

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Toyota seems to have an agenda against EVs.

And, their "vision" conveniently fails to consider the fossil fuels required to run hybrids and PHEVs. There's a place for these as part of the solution, but Toyota's math is cherry-picking to make a point.

Toyota's Controversial 1-6-90 Rule Rule: Prioritizing Hybrids Over EVs

Toyota's 1-6-90 Rule is a controversial strategy the company has outlined to prioritize hybrid vehicles over fully electric vehicles. According to the leaked internal documents:

The 1-6-90 Rule Rule states that the raw materials required to manufacture one battery electric vehicle could alternatively be used to make 6 plug-in hybrid vehicles or 90 traditional hybrid vehicles.

Toyota argues that the overall carbon reduction achieved by these 90 hybrids over their lifetime is 37 times greater than that of a single-battery electric vehicle.

The rationale behind this rule is that Toyota believes there are significant challenges with widespread EV adoption, including limited critical mineral supply, insufficient charging infrastructure, and high vehicle costs.

Toyota sees hybrids as a more accessible and impactful solution in the near term to reduce emissions rather than focusing primarily on more expensive and resource-intensive EVs.

However, critics argue that Toyota's reluctance to embrace EVs fully could hinder innovation and progress in the EV industry, which many see as crucial for long-term emissions reduction.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/toyotas-controversial-1690-rule-prioritizing-hybrids-over-bhardwaj-ubcfc/

Coincidentally, here's a fun widget to work with that I discovered when researching this topic.
I can't vouch for it's accuracy but it could be useful!

https://smallsuv.carghg.org/

[LisaM]

1. I don't think we are at the all EV place yet.

The batteries do have their own environmental issues. Charging stations are a huge issue. There are some fire danger problems with the battery chargers in homes. The infrastructure needed to re-tool rural America is an overwhelming task. It's also going to render a lot of usable vehicles obsolete. And batteries can drain in cold weather or have big problems in the heat, so people can get stranded with no recharging options.

I really think hybrids are the bridge option.

[hlthe2b]

2. Ditto. No problems for me in minus 10F or

100F driving mountains of Colorado in my Prius hybrid. However 2 of my neighbors have had issues (mostly w cold) with their relatively nrw EVs.

[CoopersDad]

4. I agree. Yet, I think Toyota's statement is specious and narrow.

I believe there's a place for hybrids for years to come and especially love PHEVs, I owned a 2012 Volt and loved it because most of my driving was all-electric.

That said, Toyota's conclusions are based on crappy assumptions that don't take into account the many different ways people use their vehicles, their math only relates to the battery materials while ignoring the other materials and the fossil fuels used to operate ICUs.

If we had to settle on just one technology, I'd be for PHEVs.

[CoopersDad]

5. I definitely agree, I loved my Chevy Volt-- most of my miles were on battery.

And I agree that our EVs aren't quite there yet.

I take issue with the way Toyota has expressed the numbers and slighted EVs and EV infrastructure.

For a small price, I installed a 240V charger outside my condo and been on electric since then-- whether it be the 2012 Volt or the EV that I drive now that replaced the Volt.

In California, the distribution of public charging stations is more than adequate, I know it's not true for all regions.

[Finishline42]

7. Obviously not at the all EV point.

I wouldn't recommend an EV without the ability to charge at home or work.

I had a Tesla home charger installed by a licensed electrician - it runs on a 50 amp circuit - adds about 15% to the battery / hour. The wiring and receptacle had better be up to handling the amount of current for 5-6 hours. This isn't a clothes dryer running for an hour or so.

RE: Hybrids...

I'm an Uber/Lyft driver. Picked up a rider at the local Volvo dealership. He has the 90 class 3rd Row SUV plug-in hybrid. Told me he got 1200 miles on a tank of gas. They have about a 30 mile range where they drive just like an EV, but after that they are a gas car. This is what I think fits most people. Most of their daily driving to and from work is electric but taking a road trip they are a gas car.

The key is being about to charge at home or work. Relying on a charging network is asking for trouble.

BTW, i drove to visit my Sister in my Tesla Model Y extended range. 930 mile trip. Entered her address into the Tesla GPS and got all the stops. Basically drove 3 hours with a 30-35 minute stop to charge ( and hit the bathroom). They were all within a mile of the highway, there was always a spot open and they always worked.

[Fiendish Thingy]

3. Toyota invested a ton in hybrid technology, and now, next-Gen solid state EV technology

They are developing next-Gen batteries while recouping their investment on hybrid tech.

In 2026-7, they are expected to roll out solid state EV’s, with twice the range and half the weight , resources and recharge time.

If all goes as promised, it will be a game changer, and Toyota will deservedly move to the head of the EV pack.

Bonus- Tesla will likely go out of business.

[Finishline42]

8. That's the key

I expect major improvements in batteries in the coming years. Solid State is the next step. I've read 600 mile range and less than 10 minute charging time.

[rurallib]

6. mark to return to

[ramapo]

9. They have a point

I have a 2008 Prius. I still get around 45mpg. I've waited a couple of years for an affordable, versatile EV. I think EVs are great not because they don't burn fossile fuels but they are much simpler and cleaner.

The Prius is showing its age and thsi spring I decided it was time for a new car. I looked at all the available EVs. I did not want to spend $70,000. I wanted a hatchback or small SUV. I would not buy a Tesla under any circumstances. The Chevy Bolt would've been an option had not GM ended production before their new lineup was available. And we don't live in China where there is a far greater variety of EVs available.

I ended up buying a Toyota Cross Hybrid. The new Prius is more like a sports car. The Cross has the room and should at least match the mpg I get now. It is evidently very popular because I ordered late April and still don't have a delivery date.

I think the raw material argument is a valid one. I think cost is a function of not enough competition or lower-end models. We know American car manufacturers like the big, high-profit models which is why we have some of the problems that we have.

I hope and expect that we eventually get a more robust EV market. I'm sorry that it isn't there yet.

[hunter]

10. Pick your poison, they are all bad!

The people with the smallest environmental footprints generally live in cities and don't own cars.

It doesn't really matter what powers our cars because the environmental impacts of automobile are huge and growing. The best car is no car.

If we had any sense we'd be rebuilding our cities, turning them into attractive affordable places where car ownership is unnecessary.

Maybe we could start by tearing down some freeways. (One can dream...)

Transportation fuels are not going away. Electric airliners are not going to be crossing the Pacific ocean anytime soon, if ever.

If we actually cared about the environment we'd be synthesizing carbon-neutral transportation fuels using nuclear power and we'd be leaving fossil fuels in the ground.