If Toyota Sells EVs, People Will Buy Them

Toyota's plug-in hybrid sales jumped nearly 190 percent in July after the automaker rolled the models out nationwide, up from just 12 states before. A plug-in hybrid runs on electricity for shorter trips but has a gas engine for longer ones, so it offers some of the fuel savings of an electric car without range limits.

The jump matters because Toyota has been slower than other automakers to build out fully electric models, even though it has a strong track record with hybrids. Advocates point to this sales surge as proof that buyers want more efficient vehicles when they're actually available on dealer lots. The Sierra Club's clean transportation director argued that Toyota has the size and manufacturing know-how to lead on electric vehicles if it decides to compete seriously, and that rising gas prices are pushing more drivers to look for ways to cut fuel costs.

Toyota's own timeline for going electric has slipped, though: production of its 2027 Highlander EV has been pushed back. For homeowners weighing an electric vehicle alongside home upgrades like a heat pump or solar panels, this is a reminder that vehicle choices, especially from major brands like Toyota, are still catching up to demand. If you're planning to pair a home charger with your next car purchase, it's worth watching which models actually reach dealers and when, rather than assuming an automaker's announced plans will arrive on schedule.