Why are Toyota hybrids better
Toyota Is Right: We Need More Hybrid Cars and Fewer EVs. Heres Why
It sounds like heel-dragging from a latecomer whose first electric car was met with a lukewarm reception. But if you take a closer look at how efficiently hybrids and EVs use their batteries, youll realize Toyota is actually right: hybrids have a bigger role to play in decarbonization than EVs will for a long time, if ever. Fact is, we need to use our limited battery supplies to deliver the maximum reduction in CO2 emissions across the auto industry, and soon. We need to use every last kilowatt-hour to its fullest, and in the near-term, that doesnt mean going all-in on EVs. It means leaning back into hybrids.
Whats more, EV battery supplies are expected to fall short of demand within the next couple of years. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence told The Financial Times it forecasts lithium demand growing fivefold by 2035, while Boston Consulting Group predicts chronic shortages as soon as 2025. Last year, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares warned of similar in CNBC, foretelling mineral and battery shortages later this decade.
So is there a better use for the batteries currently being crammed into a relatively small number of $60,000 electric sedans or $100,000 electric pickups? Could switching to full-hybrid model lineupsnow mostly dismissed as a temporary bridgeactually reduce emissions quicker than fast-tracking EVs in the short term?
The Case for Hybrids Over EVs
To illustrate, we're going to compare the on-road carbon emissions of a few models that are available with internal combustion, hybrid/plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and electric powertrains: the Ford F-150, the 2022 Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro (which use the same chassis) and the BMW 3 Series and i4 (which also share their bones). Again, this is the question we want to answer: Whats the best use of a limited battery supply? Do we spread those materials across a bunch of hybrids, or cram them into a few EVs and leave the remainder with straight gas or diesel engines?
We can answer this by dividing how much each vehicle reduces CO2 emissions over its ICE counterpart by its battery capacity in kilowatt-hours. Thats tricky to imagine, so dont bother: just look at this equation instead.
We need more data to fill that out, of course, and obtaining it is simple: The EPAs FuelEconomy.gov publishes per-mile CO2 estimates, which also estimate the upstream emissions that come from gasoline production.
Things arent as straightforward for EVs, though, which the EPA lists as emitting no CO2. While true from an exhaust standpoint, making the electricity needed to charge them does generate CO2: an average of 386 grams of it per kWh in the United States, according to the Energy Information Administration. We can then estimate their hidden CO2 emissions with the equation illustrated below. (Its the same formula we used to calculate the break-even point for EVs when it comes to charging and production emissions vs their on-road savings last year.)
Armed with this data, we can then calculate how efficiently each electrified vehicle uses its battery. The equation well use for that is shown aboveremember, the goal is to reduce CO2 emissions as much as possible with a limited supply of batteries. And when you do the math, its pretty clear what the best option is.
Consider just how much battery your typical mass-market EV uses. Operating an F-150 Lightning may generate less than a third of the CO2 emissions of a gas F-150, but each one hoards 98 kWh of battery, most of which will be used only on the rare prolonged drive. Meanwhile, an F-150 Powerboost hybrid battery is just 1.5 kWh. It doesnt achieve nearly the emissions reduction the Lightning does, but Ford could make 65 of them with the batteries that go into a single Lightning.
That adds up, because if Ford sells one Lightning and 64 ICE F-150s, its cutting the on-road CO2 emissions of those trucks as a group by 370 g/mi. If it sold 65 hybridsspreading the one Lightnings battery supply across them allitd reduce aggregate emissions by 4,550 g/mi. Remember, this is using the exact same amount of batteries; the distribution is just different.
The pattern holds true for the Hyundai/Kia combo and the BMWs, toogoing full hybrid lowers emissions far more than building a handful of EV and a ton of gas cars. Split up an i4s battery, and you can make seven 330e PHEVs, cutting 560 g/mi to one i4s 266. Divvy up a Kona EVs, and you can make seven Niro PHEVs worth 1,085 g/mi in reductions (one EVs worth 239), or 41 regular Niro hybrids, for 4,797 g/mi eliminated. Like the Ford, they make better use of a fixed battery supply by spreading it across a large number of hybrids, rather than concentrating them all in a single EV.
Of course, EVs cases improve when theyre run exclusively on renewable energy. We can zero their per-mile CO2 emissions to simulate that, and it helps them outbut it doesnt change the fact that their battery use is still inefficient. Powering a handful of EVs with renewables still just doesnt have the immediate effect that a broader hybridization of new cars would.
It comes down to this: By using its limited battery supply on a small number of (expensive) EVs, the auto industry gets plaudits from investors and the public despite implementing an inefficient decarbonization scheme. It gets to greenwash itself with a handful of flashy products, while in fact not cutting CO2 emissions nearly as much as it could. The numbers strongly suggest that hybridizing as many new cars as possible is more effective, and to increasing degrees as battery technology evolves and supplies hopefully go up. That would allow hybrids to graduate to PHEVs, before being superseded by full EVs where appropriate.
Most of the benefits of a full EV transition, however, would present themselves with widespread PHEV adoption. They offer enough range to make short trips on electric power alone, often at comparable up-front cost to an EV, but also the flexibility and efficiency of a hybrid powertrain for longer journeys. This lets them sidestep most of the obstacles to EV adoption, namely battery supply and poor charging infrastructure.
That said, there are reasons why PHEVs havent taken off. Theyre less efficient and more complicated to produce and service than EVs or regular hybrids, not to mention heavier and more expensive than regular hybrids. Theyre also not helped by their confusing names, never mind the PHEV acronym.
Hybrids as a whole have taken a long time to capture market share, accounting for just 5.5 percent of the light vehicle market in 2021, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Thats over a period of 24 years since the pioneering Toyota Prius entered production. EVs meanwhile achieved a similar market share in less than half that time, attaining 5.8 percent of the U.S. market in 2022 according to The Wall Street Journal. Thats only a decade since the paradigm-shifting Tesla Model S entered production.
So far, the government has favored the shiny, hype-driven solution of fast-tracking EV adoption, when the math suggests thats suboptimalat least for the short and medium term. If anything, its probably fair to say the over-emphasis on EVs is slowing the decarbonization of the auto industry for the time being. We cant afford to overlook the role hybrids have to play here and now in favor of a far-flung future where every car on the road is pure electric.
Besides, when the 2023 Toyota Prius is one of the best-looking cars on sale today, it makes the pragmatic solution that much easier to choose.
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Summary
- The 2024 Toyota Tacoma enters a new generation and will be available as a hybrid truck with the i-Force MAX powertrain, making it one of the first electrified midsize pickup trucks on the market.
- The Tacoma's new design is built for the U.S. market, with a sturdy TNGA-F platform, high-strength steel, and aluminum construction for increased rigidity and agility on and off the roads.
- The Tacoma Hybrid boasts impressive performance, with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 48-horsepower electric motor, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It also offers off-road features, including a front disconnecting stabilizer bar, trail cameras, and crawl control.
The Toyota Tacoma has been synonymous with rugged midsize truck toughness that never quits for years. The Tacoma brings legendary quality, durability, and reliability to this class while offering truck owners nearly thirty configurations. This truck enters the 2024 model year and joins the Tundra as the next hybrid Toyota truck.
The hotly anticipated 2024 Toyota Tacoma enters a new generation by dipping its proverbial toe into hybrid waters. The i-Force MAX name is becoming a staple in the Toyota lineup, first arriving in the new Tundra for 2022 and then in the Sequoia full-size SUV in 2023. Now, this name is applied to the new Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, giving the new generation midsize truck a hybrid powertrain that handles off-road duties in the highest trims.
Although rumors swirled around a Toyota Tacoma Electric with a full-time EV powertrain, Toyota has yet to develop or release such a product. We may see an EV Tacoma in the future. Still, for now, we can admire and enjoy the impressive performance, power, and capability brought to us by the new Toyota hybrid midsize pickup truck.
Updated September 1, 2023: The Toyota Tacoma Hybrid continues to excite drivers and will be joining the brand's family of hybrids. With a greener, cleaner vision for the brand across global markets, this article has been refreshed to represent that information.
Related: 10 Classic Pickup Trucks To Choose Over The 2024 Toyota Tacoma
The TNGA-F Platform Provides A Strong Foundation For The New Toyota Tacoma
- The 2024 Toyota Tacoma becomes one of the first electrified midsize pickup trucks to hit the market.
- Toyota has its eyes set on the U.S. market with this release.
Forget minor tweaks with nips and tucks along the edges; the new 2024 Toyota Tacoma was redesigned from the ground up on the TNGA-F global truck platform. This platform is shared with the Tundra and Sequoia but was adjusted to fit the midsize Tacoma. When the design team created this new generation of the Tacoma, they built it to be utilized in the U.S. market, making it a truck ideal for wide open spaces, long road trips, and cross-country travel.
2024 Toyota Tacoma Highlights
- High-strength boxed, steel-ladder frame
- Additional off-road features
- Multi-link coil rear suspension
- Two turbocharged four-cylinder engines
- Added Trailhunter trim
- Return of the PreRunner trim
The TNGA-F platform increases rigidity over the previous generation. This is accomplished using high-strength steel with blanking and laser welds utilized throughout the chassis. Toyota also utilized aluminum in the upper body to save weight and make this truck more agile on and off the roads.
This new Tacoma goes on sale later this year as part of the 2024 model year. Those looking for the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid with the i-Force MAX powertrain will have to wait until early 2024 for the hybrid version to be available.
Toyota introducing its newest i-Force MAX powertrain to this hybrid off-roader will certainly be a selling point for the brand. We'd expect this to be a draw for drivers and a point of jealousy among other competitors. Again, you'll need to wait until Q1 of 2024 to buy a Tacoma with this, so keep up with the company's press releases and website.
The New Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Is A Mid-size Force To Be Reckoned With
- Toyota has added i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain technology to the 2024 Tacoma Hybrid.
- The new trucks will include a 2.4 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The biggest news surrounding the new Tacoma is the addition of the i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain. This system gives us a hybrid Toyota truck thats powerful, capable, and should be relatively efficient. Well leave the efficiency numbers alone and focus on the fun stuff. This new Toyota hybrid pickup truck includes a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-horsepower electric motor integrated into the 8-speed automatic transmission.
The electric motor is powered by a 1.87-kWh NiMH battery pack, allowing the Tacoma to deliver 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.
2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Performance and Specs
Powertrain | i-Force MAX Hybrid |
Configuration | 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine plus 48-hp electric motor |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 326 hp |
Torque | 465 lb-ft |
Towing Capacity | 6,500 lbs |
Payload Capacity | 1,709 lbs |
With the i-Force MAX powertrain, the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid can tackle an 8-percent interstate grade without needing to downshift, making your long road trips easier and more pleasant. The Tacoma reaches max towing capacity in the SR5 trim TRD PreRunner XtraCab models with the hybrid powertrain. These models provide up to 6,500 pounds of towing, which is more than enough to take a boat or trailer to the lake for a weekend full of fun.
Toyota Tacoma: The Ultimate Truck For Legendary Off-Road Adventures
- The 2024 Tacoma Hybrid boasts many new additions and features.
- This high-performance truck will do well off-road and driving on/through hills.
Generations of Tacoma owners turned to this midsize truck for its off-road prowess, durability, and capability. Toyota takes these qualities and turns them up several notches, not just in the new hybrid version of this Toyota truck, but across the lineup. Some of the off-road features youll find in this new midsize Toyota include:
- Front disconnecting stabilizer bar
- Trail cameras
- Multi-Terrain Monitor
- Rear recovery hooks
- Underbody protection
- Crawl Control low-speed, off-road cruise control
- Downhill Assist Control
The new front disconnecting stabilizer bar enables the Tacoma to increase wheel articulation by 10 percent compared to the outgoing model. This feature is compatible with Toyota-approved lift kits, ensuring owners always have their desired level of off-road capability. The TRD Pro trim offers the maximum off-road clearance and angles.
2024 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road Angles
Ground Clearance | 11 inches |
Approach Angle | 33.8 degrees |
Departure Angle | 25.7 degrees |
Breakover Angle | 23.5 degrees |
The TRD Pro comes standard with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, making it one of the first off-road hybrid Toyota trucks. The Multi-Terrain Select system is now functional in 4WD-High and 4WD-Low, providing more capability when stuck in the mud or crossing terrain at higher speeds.
Related: Deep Dive Into The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter And Why It's A Big Deal
The New Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Trailhunter Trim Tops The Charts
- The 2024 Toyota Tacoma 'Trailhunter' will boast a five-six-foot bed in the double cab configuration.
- The Trailhunter trim also features the i-Force MAX powertrain.
For the first time, overlanding enthusiasts will have a pickup truck suited to their needs right from the factory. The Tacoma Trailhunter trim features the i-Force MAX powertrain and brings a plethora of standard overlanding features with it. This truck comes with a five or six-foot bed in the Double Cab configuration. Those with serious overlanding goals will likely choose the heavy-duty version of the full ARB bed rack that supports additional gear, including rooftop tents, canopies, or a camp shower.
Toyota worked with Australian-based ARB to develop many of the overlanding features of the new Tacoma Trailhunter. Some of these items include:
- Old Man Emu (OME) position-sensitive 2.5-inch forged monotube shocks with rear external piggyback style remote reservoirs
- A steel rear bumper
- Robust rear recovery points
- A bed utility bar with removable MOLLE panels
The OME shocks and a set of 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires provide an additional two inches of lift to the Trailhunter, giving this Toyota Tacoma Hybrid a boost to ride over some of the toughest terrain and obstacles. The Trailhunter model also comes with a high-clearance trail exhaust and a low-profile high-mount Trailhunter Air Intake to ensure owners can fully use the ground clearance offered in this truck.
The New TRD Pro Is An Incredible New Toyota Hybrid Pickup Truck
- This model is better suited for off-roading than some of Tacoma's previous releases.
- The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid will be one of the better electric trucks on the market come its debut.
The new 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is more than just a hybrid Toyota truck. This new model elevates its position as a desert-running, off-road-oriented truck. Toyota provides this new off-roader with a set of rear disc brakes, which have been missing for a long time, but also gives it the off-road gear that makes most outdoor enthusiasts drool. Some of what youll find in the TRD Pro include:
- Red aluminum front TRD upper control arms
- Fox internal bypass 2.5-inch manual modal Quick Switch 3 shocks
- The new multi-link rear suspension
- Fox Internal Floating Piston bump stops
- Black flow-formed TRD wheels
- 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires
The TRD Pro sits two inches higher in the front and 1.5 inches higher in the rear than the Tacoma SR5. This off-road champion is also three inches wider than the lower trims of the new Tacoma. The new Toyota Tacoma Hybrid TRD Pro is more than a better off-road truck; its also much more comfortable. The TRD Pro brings a segment-first IsoDynamic Performance Seat to the mix, giving the driver and front passenger added comfort and a smoother ride on tough terrain. These seats include two stabilizing adjustable shock absorbers to reduce fatigue on rugged trails. Talk about a game-changer!
While we wait for the Toyota Tacoma Electric and the conversation about Tacoma charging time, we can admire this new Toyota hybrid pickup truck with the addition of the Trailhunter trim, improved TRD Pro features, and a wide range of added capabilities that make Tacoma an easy choice for adventure-oriented shoppers.
Toyota Remains The King Of Hybrids
- Toyota's 'Beyond Zero' initiative focuses on hybrids, EVs, PHEVs, and fuel-cell technology.
- The brand will introduce a fully-electric lineup of vehicles in 2026.
It's no shock that Toyota will continue to dominate the hybrid market, including with the long-anticipated Tacoma Hybrid drop next year. As the date comes closer, we're sure Toyota will come out with new hybrids, EVs, and even PHEVs, as this is the future of the brand. Notably, Toyota has made a promise to introduce an entirely electric lineup by 2026, with race cars, SUVs, trucks, and even work vans in the group.
This marks a dawn of new, green technology coming out of Toyota factories, with many speculating the company will make a full switch from gas to electric by 2030. Also deemed 'Beyond Zero,' Toyota's plans for increasing EV production will begin with hybrid models taking over what once would have been solely fuel-powered cars, trucks, SUVs, etc. Of course, with iconic hybrids to its name like Prius (and now Tacoma), Toyota is taking a unique approach to climate change, with hybrids being the middle-ground for consumers.
Toyota is going green, just slower than some other auto brands. We suspect this could be due to them wanting to perfect batteries and specs for hybrids and full EVs, which could work in their favor.
Even if Toyota isn't boasting as many EVs as other companies for now, we'd still like to commend them for moving in the right direction. Major change takes time, so it doesn't surprise us that Toyota would choose to perfect its hybrid and EV tech before releasing it to the masses.
