As part of its efforts to reinforce its opposition to the electric vehicle (EV) movement, the Japanese automaker Toyota has recently made public its 1:6:90 Rule on the internet. This guideline emphasizes that with the same quantity of raw materials necessary to create one EV, Toyota could instead manufacture six plug-in hybrids or an impressive 90 hybrid vehicles. The disclosure of this specific rule online was a result of the leakage of an internal document belonging to the company.
What is The 1:6:90 Rule For Toyota?
The leaked internal document from Toyota has introduced the 1:6:90 Rule, which challenges the existing belief that electric vehicles are the most effective solution for reducing carbon emissions. Toyota argues that prioritizing hybrids over electric vehicles can result in a 37 times greater cumulative carbon reduction over the lifespan of 90 hybrids compared to a single electric vehicle.
Hybrid vehicles like the renowned Prius by Toyota present a compelling option compared to electric vehicles (EVs). By integrating an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, hybrids can achieve enhanced fuel efficiency and decreased emissions. Moreover, unlike EVs, hybrids do not depend exclusively on electric power, thus alleviating worries about restricted driving range and prolonged refuelling durations. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness and widespread availability of hybrids render them a more appealing choice for environmentally aware individuals.
Similar Trend in The Indian Car Market: EVs vs Hybrid
In the evolving landscape of the automotive industry, Indian car buyers have exhibited a marked reluctance to fully embrace electric vehicles (EVs), instead showing a strong preference for hybrid vehicles, especially plug-in hybrids (PHEV). A significant factor influencing this trend is the limited charging infrastructure available, which makes the convenience and affordability of PHEVs more appealing. Furthermore, a study leaked from Toyota has shed light on the efficient utilization of lithium, a critical component in the production of electric batteries. According to the findings, wasting lithium on EVs is not the most judicious use of this resource. A single-battery EV could instead be used to make six plug-in hybrids that can run solely on electric power for an adequate electric range, without total reliance on a fully electric system.
This revelation is supported by the argument that instead of focusing resources on building full EVs, the amount of raw lithium required for one battery electric vehicle could produce six plug-in hybrids or 90 hybrid cars, thereby achieving a lifetime is 37 times greater efficiency in terms of overall carbon reduction. Such a strategy emphasizes the critical need for a strategic approach towards adopting EVs, suggesting that the current enthusiasm for electric vehicles might result in much as as a single battery being underutilized when the carbon reduction of those 90 hybrids over their lifetime can be significantly higher. Moreover, the equitable distribution of limited lithium resources to make six plug-in hybrids, rather than a single electric vehicle, underscores a more sustainable path towards enhancing carbon reduction and is deemed to be better for the environment.
