Toyota Slams California's 'Impossible' EV Mandate, Calls For National Regulation To Protect Consumers And Keep Manufacturing Viable

Toyota Motor North America has weighed in on California’s ambitious new electric vehicle (EV) mandates, calling the goals “impossible” given the slow growth of EVs in America. Currently, only 9% of U.S. car buyers choose EVs and in many states, the adoption rates of EVs are even lower. 

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However, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has set an ambitious mandate that 35% of all light-duty vehicle sales be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or plug-in hybrids by 2026. The ultimate target is that by 2035, every new car sold in the state should be zero-emission.

As cited by CNBC, Toyota Chief Operating Officer Jack Hollis questioned the feasibility of such a timeline, saying, “I have not seen a forecast by anyone – government or private – that says that number is achievable.”

Toyota fears the mandate could force automakers to ignore what customers need, especially in markets where electric vehicles are less popular. Hollis suggested that pushing automakers to meet these requirements without adequate market support could limit consumer choices.

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California has traditionally taken a strict stance on emissions, setting standards more stringent than those required nationally under a federal waiver. This has led to a split market: some states follow California’s rules, while others follow national regulations. 

Toyota, however, calls for a single national standard, arguing that a uniform rule for all states would help automakers more easily produce cars. “We would always want a 50-state rule because that way we can treat all customers, all dealers, equally,” Hollis explained.

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The emissions standards debate has sparked significant discussion throughout the industry. Hollis said California's mandate could “limit consumer choice” by reducing the number of models available. Some politicians, including Democrat Elissa Slotkin, have echoed similar points, saying, "What you drive is your call, no one else's."

While Toyota has been vocal in its criticisms, it is not the only automaker to doubt the feasibility of California’s goals. Other carmakers have also expressed concerns about whether such a rapid shift is possible with today’s infrastructure and market. 

Environmentalists counter that these requirements are necessary to address climate change and promote a cleaner automotive future. Such policies and incentives, they argue, can help bridge the EV adoption gap across the country, even in states with lower demand.

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