Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Reuters reported that Toyota’s Chief Scientist made remarks casting doubt on the need for a full transition to all-electric vehicles at the Reuters Events Automotive Summit, a global meeting that unites CEOs and board members from auto manufacturers to set the stage of the automotive industry.
In August, Sierra Club published a report highlighting Toyota’s slow global electrification strategy and its lobbying efforts for weak emissions standards. Since then, Toyota has led a coalition of automakers in lobbying against a popular amendment in the Build Back Better Act, supported by environmental groups, labor unions, and major automakers, to expand the federal electric vehicle tax credit and support workers and the environment.
In response to Toyota’s remarks, Katherine García, Acting Director of the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement:
“A global automotive summit is intended to set the stage for a bold, transformative future marked by innovation that will deliver climate action and cleaner air. It’s unacceptable that once again, Toyota is displaying its commitment to being the laggard of the auto industry by rejecting the need for electric vehicles and betting on vehicles with internal combustion engines and vehicles that rely on dirty hydrogen.
“It’s also no surprise Toyota executives are casting doubt on the power of strong federal policy to get the US to 100 percent electric vehicles sales by 2035, the trajectory needed to tackle the climate crisis. After all, they have a long track record of obstructing progress on cleaner cars and driving the climate crisis, from siding with Donald Trump to lobbying Biden’s EPA and NHTSA for weak federal standards.
"We are experiencing the devastating impacts of a climate crisis right now. We need manufacturers to fully invest in electric vehicles, support stringent standards, and uphold strong workers’ rights. Toyota must switch lanes away from its ill-fated position, for the sake of our futures and its own.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.