Freedom from Oil Campaign: Toyota Plug-in Hybrid Takes Toyota into the Lead in the Race to get Plug-In Hybrids on the Road to Consumers

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SAN FRANCISCO July 25, 2007; Rainforest Action Network Campaign Director Sarah Connolly and Global Exchange Campaign Director Mike Hudema, released the following joint statement today in response to Toyota’s announcement that it will publicly road test eight plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the U.S. and Japan:

“Toyota’s decision to put eight plug-in hybrids on the road, coupled with Ford and GM’s recent promises to test plug-ins of their own, shows that automakers finally appear willing to meet long-standing consumer demand for the next generation of ultra-fuel-efficient, gasoline-optional cars. Plug-in hybrids could very well be the key to breaking America’s destructive oil addiction by giving consumers a viable alternative to the gas-guzzling cars and trucks clogging our roads and polluting our atmosphere.

“While we are encouraged that Toyota is putting the first consumer class plug-in hybrids on the road, we are surprised that they are not maximizing the potential of plug-ins. By testing with sub-optimal battery technology that provides an all-electric cruising range of only eight miles, Toyota is overlooking existing plug-in prototypes that have batteries capable of significantly better performance.

“Today’s step forward on plug-in hybrids is contradicted by Toyota’s continued involvement in the lawsuit against California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from tailpipes. Toyota should shift its resources away from fighting California’s clean air legislation and toward mass-production of these road-ready cars that would easily meet California’s mandate.”

The Freedom from Oil campaign is working to end America’s oil dependence, reduce oil related conflicts, and stop global climate change by convincing the auto industry to dramatically improve fuel efficiency and eliminate vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, visit www.freedomfromoil.org.

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