Toyota: Switch on 'eco mode' to dramatically slash emissions & fuel costs

Toyota has pivoted to EVs after decades of focusing on hybrids, but the brand wants us to remember there's an oft-overlooked way to help the environment and your wallet right now: Eco mode.

The carmaker's connected-services division conducted a study of more than 2000 Toyota and Lexus employee-owned vehicles, who drove more than 777 kilometres collectively in eco or electric vehicle driving modes, exclusively.

The study concluded that driving a petrol-electric hybrid vehicle in eco mode could reduce CO2 exhaust output by up to four per cent – whereas a regular combustion vehicle could slash CO2 emissions by up to 26 per cent.

It’s worth noting that simply changing your driving behaviour – such as only gently pressing the accelerator, using higher gears when suitable, and avoiding idling – can also cut emissions and fuel expenses.

Toyota has led the push towards hybrid vehicles since the first-generation 1997 Prius, and is now on its fifth-generation hybrid system.

As of April 2023, petrol-hybrid versions of its Yaris city car, Yaris Cross light SUV, and Corolla sedan top the list of Australia’s most fuel-efficient vehicles by claim.

However, the Japanese automaker has long been criticised for reportedly lobbying policymakers [↗] to slow down the shift to full battery-electric vehicles and weaken emissions standards overseas, while maintaining a diverse powertrain strategy that includes hydrogen tech.

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But, in an acknowledgement of market forces, Toyota’s new CEO Koji Sato has promised to prioritise releasing more battery-electric models, with a new dedicated EV platform coming in 2026.

The Toyota BZ4x SUV will land in Australia by the end of this year as the company’s first full EV, which will follow the just-launched Lexus RZ sibling.