Toyota had to adopt an " agonising " policy U in turn in response to Chinese policies pushing carmakers to sell more electric vehicles ( EVs ) , said an unnamed executive . In 2016 , Toyota Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada defended the company 's decision to forego EV production in favour of developing hydrogen vehicles , calling the EV " a neighbourhood errands affair " . However , last year Toyota started developing a long - range electric battery car due to be delivered around 2020 . China 's latest draft proposal would require 8 % of automakers ' sales to be battery electric or plug - in hybrid vehicles by next year , and classes Toyota 's Prius as ineligible for clean car credits .
Toyota had to make an "agonising" strategy U-turn in response to Chinese policies pushing carmakers to sell more electric vehicles (EVs), said an unnamed executive. In 2013, Toyota Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada defended the company's decision to forego EV production in favour of developing hydrogen vehicles, calling the EV "a neighbourhood errands car". However, last year Toyota started developing a long-range electric battery car due to be released around 2020. China's latest draft proposal would require 8% of automakers' sales to be battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles by next year, and classes Toyota's Prius as ineligible for clean car credits.