Posted: 14/05/2019
Toyota has clocked up another significant milestone in Australia, announcing it has sold more than 100,000 fuel-efficient hybrid electric vehicles since the Prius first went on sale locally in 2001.
Toyota Australia reached this amazing milestone towards the end of April, just ahead of its first hybrid SUV, the All-New RAV4 this month.
RAV4 Hybrid joins Camry Hybrid, Corolla Hatch Hybrid, Prius, Prius c and Prius v to form the broadest line-up of electrified vehicles offered by any company in Australia.
Toyota Australia will launch another two hybrid models later this year, including the next-generation Corolla Sedan Hybrid, with a further two models to be added to the model line-up by the end of 2020.
Customer deliveries of Toyota's hybrid electric vehicles in 2019 are on forecast to be well in excess of 20,000 vehicles, doubling the total of 11,590 hybrid vehicles sold in 2018.
Official vehicle sales figures show consumers in South Australia and the ACT are the country's biggest hybrid fans as a proportion of total sales.
Last year, South Australians bought 6.2 per cent of Australia's new vehicles, but 12.3 per cent of Toyota's hybrids.
Toyota Australia's Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said drivers of the 100,000 Toyota hybrid vehicles have had a huge impact on the environment as well as their own hip pockets.
"There is a lot of buzz lately about EVs being the future of mobility, but the reality is the technology is already here and Toyota has been leading the way with hybrid petrol-electric powertrains in Australia for almost 20 years," Mr Hanley said.
"Hybrid electric technology is not only more affordable than pure electric vehicles, it requires no charging infrastructure, emits less CO2 than a traditional petrol combustion engine and is more fuel-efficient.
"An owner of today's Camry Ascent Sport Hybrid can achieve savings of more than $800* and reduce CO2 emissions by almost 1.3 tonnes* every year, so the total economic and environmental savings from 100,000 hybrids are huge," he said.
"This clearly demonstrates that hybrid drivetrains are the most affordable and accessible solution available today. It is the most practical way to reduce emissions because it is available now and it uses existing infrastructure."
Mr Hanley said Toyota Motor Corporation had been investing for decades in alternative powertrains, including hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV).
"We are well-positioned to meet anticipated new emissions regulations whenever they come, but we also know we have a wider responsibility.
"Our parent company recently announced it will grant almost 24,000 royalty-free patents and provide technical support on our vehicle electrification systems.
"In Australia, we will continue to advocate for a collaborative approach with governments, industry and other key stakeholders to fast-track the development of the infrastructure required to support the widespread sale of electrified vehicles," Mr Hanley said.
Toyota Hybrid sales in South Australia – 8,494 (as at April 30 2019)
Toyota Hybrid sales in Australia - by model:
Camry: 55,006
Prius: 20,534
Corolla: 10,654
Prius c: 9,420
Prius v: 4,599
TOTAL: 100,213
(As at April 30, 2019)
Find out more about the Toyota Hybrid System here
Disclaimer:
* Source: ADR81/01 combined cycle for Camry Ascent Sport hybrid (4.2L/100km, 96g/km CO2) and petrol (7.8L/100km, 181g/km CO2). Achieved in test conditions for comparison purposes only. Actual fuel consumption varies depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle condition, load and options/accessories fitted. Fuel price of $1.43 a litre (Source: Australian Institute of Petroleum weekly petrol prices report 5 May 2019 - national average retail pump price ULP past 12 months), travelling 15,000km.