Their history of engineering and execution.
What makes you think think they can't? EV proponents like to argue that the simplicity is what makes EVs so great, but at the same time making arguments like "no one can catch up".
Believe it or not, it's not a certainty that EVs are going to be the solution, rather than just an improvement on our way to something else.
To catch up from behind, you need to do more than your competition.
Toyota's battery complex in North Carolina is a greater spend than the entire annual budget from Tesla and will have about the same output as Tesla's "gigafactory". The $1.3 billion in Kentucky is in addition to that.. it's a mistake to think they're not investing heavily.
https://www.just-auto.com/news/toyota-to-double-investment-i...
And it's a bet that's working well so far: https://fortune.com/asia/2023/12/28/toyota-hybrid-cars-sales...
https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/wheels-falling...
https://www.motortrend.com/news/toyotas-fix-bz4x-disconnecti...
That doesn't get the headlines and attenion that a icon enlargement software update on Tesla does on HN.
It's really easy to cherry pick problems when someone makes millions of cars every year.
They have a whole line of them "coming any day now".
They have a lot of people who love the Toyota/Lexus brand.
They don't need to catch up to anything.
The RAV4 is the top selling "SUV" in America(1) and it looks like close to 50% of those are the hybrid model.
1. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g43553191/bestselling-cars...
In 2022 it was 48%: https://evstatistics.com/2022/07/48-of-1h-2022-toyota-rav4-s...
If Toyota were shipping the same battery capacity as Tesla they could make every car they sell globally a hybrid or plug-in hybrid and they are at about 30% of that.
This is probably true, hybrids may win in the US market in the short term until they are outlawed?
In the US? When hell freezes over. In the Nederlands? Probably in 5-6 years.
All it needs is more battery capacity, which apparently they are indeed investing in.
Plugin hybrids are the future.
Ended up leasing a BMW i5 because of the complete waste of time and hassle.
I'm glad it wasn't my car but, based on the experience, I wouldn't go near that joke of a company ever again. Lost a repeat customer too.
Takeaway: their staff listen more to their robot portal software than they do to rational customer experience.
And I know I'm p'ing in the wind ... but Tesla (in my experience) get way too much credit. I've had better experiences with conventional dealerships (and that's saying something considering how bad they are).
N=1
I don't know how.
I've got dealing with conventional car dealers down to an art form, and it still isn't even remotely comparable.
To get a Tesla you order it online and then go in for an appointment to pick it up. Hand them the payment, they already have all the paperwork ready for signatures, they give you the key cards and offer to help you install the app. You accept delivery and drive home. If you want, you can easily be in and out in 15 minutes or less. And the delivery guy doesn't try to sell me anything. No extended warranty, nothing.
So I bought another Tesla. At this time the Toyota experience has left such a sour taste that I will probably not ever consider one of their products in the future. Other manufacturers have really stepped up their game anyway, so it's not like Toyota makes the only reliable car you can buy.
IMO hybrids could have a lot of life as a stopgap, but full EVs are pretty clearly where things are going. We've got chargers being installed (Tesla 4th Gen) that can charge at 600kW. Cars can't handle that yet, but the current 800V platforms are getting closer. Once you can get the better part of a full charge in less than 10 minutes, it's not really less convenient than stopping for gas on a trip. And as more people get EVs (and even PHEVs), more buildings will be equipped with charging. Even a regular 120V outlet is fine for most people for day to day overnight charging - especially if they can get a quick top-up to near full at a supercharger when needed.
Summary: hybrids are great for a lot of people right now and in the near future. In the medium to far future, EVs are going to be superior in, I think, all relevant metrics^. (Even cost, as batteries will get cheaper, while the cost of added hybrid components will stay roughly flat.)
^Well, except weight and sound, specifically thinking of sports cars. I'd be a lot more excited about the new electrified Porsche 718 (Cayman/Boxster) platform if it were hybrid instead of full electric, for those reasons. Not super relevant for commuter cars though.
volvo hybrids force engine operation in case gas wasn't refilled/used for too long.
Toyota sold 30k in 2023, the lowest number ever.
Tesla sold 400k of Model Y and 210k of Model 3 and 31k of Model X in 2024.
So Model Y outsold Prius by 13x in US in 2023.
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https://carfigures.com/us-market-brand/toyota/prius-family
https://cleantechnica.com/2024/01/29/tesla-model-ys-huge-gro...
Hybrids may turn out to be a more popular option.
