Record Hybrid Sales: Lowering Emissions and Fuel Costs

Toyota's leadership in the introduction of electrified vehicles is saving Australian motorists millions of dollars in fuel costs and substantially reducing their carbon footprint, according to figures released today.

Australians bought a record 54,335 Toyota hybrids in 2020, which accounts for 85 per cent of all electrified vehicles sold here during the year.

The total represents more than one-quarter (26.5%) of Toyota's overall sales in 2020 and almost twice the 27,846 hybrids it sold in 2019.

One year's driving in these fuel-efficient hybrids is estimated to save owners $20 million1 in fuel costs while preventing 35,000 tonnes1 of carbon dioxide (CO2) entering the atmosphere.

Over the standard Toyota warranty of five years, these same vehicles can cut fuel consumption by more than 75 million litres1, saving owners well over $100 million1 at the petrol pump and 175,000 tonnes1 of CO2.

The full extent of savings from Toyota's hybrids is actually much larger as the company has now sold a total of 176,781 hybrids since the first ground-breaking Prius arrived in 2001.

Based on last year's sales, the biggest savings will come from Toyota's RAV4 hybrid, which achieved a record 26,400 deliveries - the highest annual total ever achieved by an electrified vehicle in Australia.

Other major contributors are Toyota's Corolla hybrid (13,943 sales), Camry hybrid (9,615) and C-HR hybrid (2,810), all of which are record totals for these models.

Toyota's record hybrid tally also includes the Prius family and the recently introduced Yaris and Yaris Cross hybrids. The next-generation Kluger, due in Australia next year, will also offer hybrid variants.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said there had been a fundamental shift in the purchase habits of Australian motorists who were increasingly attracted to the benefits of hybrid vehicles.

"Toyota hybrids have become a popular mainstream choice because they offer a practical electrified choice with proven reliability, delivering great fuel economy and lower emissions," Mr Hanley said.

"Hybrids now account for around 70 per cent of RAV4 and Camry sales, and more than half of all Corolla sales - a level of demand that reflects Toyota's commitment to electrification as the only company with a 20-year track record in hybrids," he said.

Calculations of fuel and CO2 savings are based on official fuel-consumption and emissions data, as well as other accredited statistics relating to fuel costs and average distance travelled.