Toyota says California-led EV mandates are ‘impossible’ as states fall short of goal

Toyota Motor Corp. is raising concerns about California’s upcoming electric vehicle mandates, saying that meeting the requirements for zero-emission vehicles is currently impossible. The regulations call for 35% of 2026 model-year vehicles to be ZEVs, but demand for such vehicles is low, limiting customer choice. Only a few states have seen significant EV adoption, and the national average is only 9%. Toyota is advocating for a national standard to avoid industry distortion caused by state-by-state regulations. The issue may come to a head with the incoming administration, but Toyota hopes for a resolution that is achievable for all parties involved.