For years, Toyota has been associated with hybrid cars like the Prius, which use gas and electric power to increase fuel efficiency and decrease carbon emissions. But earlier this week at the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota surprised the public with an update to the Prius line of hybrids. But some are skeptical that it’s going all-electric and wonder if they should be investing in Tesla stock instead. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Toyota Prius cars on the market!
Despite spending billions on all-electric vehicles and facing criticism for not entering the developing market quickly enough, Toyota Motor is not planning to abandon its trademark Prius hybrid anytime soon.
Late on Tuesday, the carmaker unveiled updated models of the Prius hybrid and Prius Prime plug-in hybrid electric car. Instead of being all-electric, both are referred to as “electrified” automobiles. They continue to combine electric components that increase fuel efficiency with gas-powered engines to create these more efficient automobiles.
The Prius models for 2023 have distinct looks from the present models, while Toyota has not provided U.S. specs. The exterior looks more aerodynamic, sportier, and less weird. But a Prius may still be identified by its general silhouette.
Part of Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda’s electrification plan is moving on with the Prius as other automakers promise to switch to all-electric vehicles in the next years. The auto scion thinks there are other ways for manufacturers to become carbon neutral, which they aim to accomplish by 2050, outside EVs.
The company’s continuous efforts to create hybrid vehicles alongside battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs, and other possible technologies have recently come under fire. Toyota Senior Manager of Design Simon Humphries hasn’t shied away from it.
“Given the present emphasis on BEVs, it seems like the question, “So how long are you going to continue building hybrids for?” is asked every day. During the livestreamed unveiling in Japan, Humphries began, “Well, disclaimer: Today I’m going to talk about Toyota’s new hybrid automobile.
Toyota claims to have sold more than 20 million electrified vehicles globally since the Prius debuted in 1997. According to the firm, such sales have reduced CO2 emissions by 160 million tonnes, or the impact of 5.5 million all-electric battery automobiles.
According to Toyoda and other corporate officials, many drivers won’t be able to afford all-electric vehicles in the near future since not all regions of the world will embrace EVs at the same rate due to the high cost of the vehicles and a lack of infrastructure.
Humphries reaffirmed the company’s stance, stating that the “Prius is an eco-car accessible to everyone.” Everyone on earth must cooperate if carbon neutrality is to be achieved.
“It’s a vehicle that anybody can use, not just a select few. That is both its greatest asset and the basis for its existence, he claimed.
The 2022 Prius starts at under $25,000 in the US, which is far cheaper than the price of most all-electric cars and can get up to an EPA-certified 56 mpg. The 2022 Prius Prime plug-in hybrid has a starting price of around $29,000 and a 133 MPGe, which accounts for both the vehicle’s 25-mile all-electric range and the fuel efficiency of its gas-powered engine.
