Why does Toyota not offer an electric car in their lineup?

 

Have you ever looked at Toyota's lineup and wondered why it doesn't include an electric car? You're probably not the only one. With so many other automakers like Tesla, Nissan, Chevy, and more offering all-electric versions of vehicles, you'd think Toyota would be the leader of the pack considering how much research and development they've put into alternative fuel cars. However, that's just not the case and to this day, no electric car option is available. 

Toyota of N Charlotte talks electric cars (or the lack thereof)

We don't have a firm answer as to why Toyota isn't jumping into the electric vehicle ring, but we can speculate as to why they're not offering this particular type of alternative fuel vehicle. 

Reason #1: Been there, done that. 

Did you know that Toyota has actually already released an electric car to the general market? Yup - way back in the early 2010s, the Toyota RAV4 EV was an option for drivers who wanted to go green. This futuristic SUV was a collaboration between Tesla and Toyota and while it was ahead of its times, it was nowhere near electric cars today in terms of capabilities. It could only travel 100 miles at a time (before needing to be charged again) and had to travel at low speeds to achieve that range. It wasn't popular for that reason and was retired fairly quickly. 

Reason #2: The infrastructure just isn't there. 

Electric cars have to be charged - you can't just pull up to a gas station and fill up. Unfortunately, most of the country doesn't have the right infrastructure to offer a multitude of charging stations for drivers. This means drivers have to return home to charge or figure out a way to charge their vehicle at school or work if they're running low or have a long distance to drive. It's impractical and can be a deterrent for owning and operating an electric car. 

Reason #3: Hybrids have been vastly improved upon. 

Hybrids were introduced to drivers nearly 20 years ago (thanks again, Toyota) and have been vastly improved upon since then. Today they're incredibly eco-friendly and fuel-efficient, offer exceptional technology and are more affordable than electric cars. This makes them viable options for drivers who want to go green but also be economical. 

Reason #4: There are so many other options at Toyota of N Charlotte. 

Toyota may not have an electric car in its inventory, but it does have a ton of other alternative fuel options. You'll find 10 different hybrid models for sale at Toyota of N Charlotte as well as be able to consider the option of a hydrogen fuel call car, the Toyota Mirai. 

Shop alternative fuel vehicles today at Toyota of N Charlotte

Have questions or want to get shopping for an alternative fuel vehicle? Call Toyota of N Charlotte. We're open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199 and conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.