Toyota’s newly elected CEO, Koji Sato, is tasked with pulling the automaker out of the past and into the modern era. After announcing plans to introduce 10 new EV models on Friday with 1.5 million in electric vehicle sales by 2026, is the automaker doing enough?
After selling more than 10.5 million vehicles last year, Toyota maintained its position as the world’s largest automaker over Volkswagen for the third straight year.
Toyota is known for being a pioneer in hybrid technology with more than 20 years of experience since releasing the first Prius, but the automaker has struggled in shifting to fully electric, zero-emission vehicles.
Akio Toyoda, the 66-year-old grandson of the company’s founder, who was one of the most outspoken critics of going all in on EVs, announced he would step down from his position in January “to advance change at Toyota.”
The automakers underwhelming efforts toward zero-emissions EVs have resulted in one of the least developed supply chains for reducing emissions, making it the target of climate activists globally.
Toyoda has been replaced by former Lexus chief branding officer Koji Sato. With newly elected leader Sato at the helm, many believed the company could and should take a new direction before it was too late.
In February, Sato revealed he would boost Toyota’s EV efforts with plans to implement a new business structure and strategy when he took over beginning this month, claiming, “Now that the time is right, we will accelerate BEV development with a new approach.”
Toyota bZ4X (Source: Toyota)
Toyota plans 10 new EV models, 1.5 million sales by 2026
In a press release Friday, Sato revealed his vision and the new structure he aims to create for the future of Toyota.
Sato said, “We want to protect the beautiful Earth and enrich the lives of people around the world,” continuing to explain:
For the car to continue being a necessary part of society, we need to change the future of the car.
For that to happen, Toyota says it is committed to achieving carbon neutrality over the entire cycle of its vehicles, but by… 2050.
As intermittent targets, Toyota aims to reduce CO2 emissions for the vehicles it sells globally by 33% by 2030 and over 50% by 2035, with 2019 as a base.
Sato says the first thing the automaker will do is “implement electrification,” which it has the ability to do so now.
Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president at Toyota, explained the company’s new electrification strategy, including 10 new battery electric vehicles by 2026, representing 1.5 million EV sales annually.
Toyota also hinted that a new EV platform may be in the works, after claiming its new generation of BEVs – “entirely different from those today” – will double its driving range.
To drive down costs, the Japanese automaker is taking another page from Tesla’s playbook by focusing on manufacturing efficiency with autonomous processes.
Meanwhile, Toyota is sticking to its “multi-pathway approach” including hybrids and fuel cell vehicles.
Toyota said it will increase battery efficiency in its plug-in hybrids to extend EV driving range beyond 124 miles (200 km). As for fuel cell vehicles, Toyota is pursuing mass production with a focus on commercial vehicles.
Electrek’s Take
Although 1.5 million EV sales may seem like a lot, when considering Toyota sold over 10.5 million vehicles last year, it would still represent less than 15% of total sales.
While many automakers are already achieving double-digit EV sales, or even 100%, Toyota is sticking to a modest goal yet again despite claims of going “Beyond Zero” with its bZ campaign.
Volvo, Mercedes, Jaguar, Cadillac, Rolls Royce, Alfa Romeo, and more have committed to going all-electric by 2030. Even Ford, GM, and Stellantis are targeting 50% fully electric sales by 2030.
Despite an open letter calling for Sato to change the direction (including phasing out hybrids and plug-in hybrids) of Toyota from 54 consumer and environmental groups last month, the leader has spoken.
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Honda’s electric SUV was the third most popular EV in the US in August, behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Offering over $12,000 in average incentives, the Honda Prologue scored big as buyers rushed to claim the federal EV tax credit.
Honda Prologue registrations surge with huge incentives
As the $7,500 credit expired at the end of September, automakers were offering pretty notable discounts, many in the five digits with combined incentives.
The Honda Prologue has been one of the most discounted EVs over the past few months. Last month, buyers could score up to over $20,000 in combined savings, including a $7,500 credit, $9,500 in financing bonuses, trade-in offers, and 0% interest for six years.
According to the latest registration data from S&P Global Mobility (via Automotive News), the incentives helped propel the Honda Prologue to become the third most popular EV in August.
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A total of 138,457 EVs were registered in the US in August, up 24% from a year ago. Honda Prologue registrations surged 81% to 9,005 vehicles, the data showed.
2025 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
Since some automakers don’t report monthly or US sales numbers, the S&P Global Mobility data offers a snapshot of sales performance.
The Prologue was yet again one of the most discounted models, with incentives of $12,704 in August, according to Motor Intelligence. Last August, Prologue incentives were just $5,813. Honda’s gas-powered CR-V had just $2,016 in incentives in August.
2025 Honda Prologue (Source: Honda)
Although the $7,500 credit expired on September 30, Honda is still offering generous incentives for Prologue buyers and lessees.
The 2025 Honda Prologue is available with up to $16,550 in lease cash in most states. Alternatively, Honda is offering 0% APR financing for up to 60 months.
2025 Honda Prologue trim
Starting Price*
EPA Range (miles)
EX (FWD)
$47,400
308
EX (AWD)
$50,400
294
Touring (FWD)
$51.700
308
Touring (AWD)
$54,700
294
Elite (AWD)
$57,900
283
2025 Honda Prologue prices and range by trim (*Does not include $1,450 D&H fee)
Although the Acura ZDX will not return for a 2026 model year, Honda is planning to launch the 2026 Prologue. We have yet to learn prices, but we could see it priced slightly lower due to the loss of the $7,500 EV credit.
Hyundai announced earlier this month it’s reducing 2026 IONIQ 5 prices by up to nearly $10,000 on some trims. The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 now starts at under $35,000. Will Honda match it?
XCharge North America (NA) has opened Oregon’s first solar + storage DC fast charging station at Arrowhead Travel Plaza in Pendleton, part of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino complex owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
NetZero Energy helped bring the project to life, handling system design and project management. The solar canopy provides renewable power to the chargers, while the integrated batteries make the site more resilient and capable of off-grid operation during outages.
The new station integrates four dual-dispenser 215kWh GridLink chargers with 40kW of solar that can output up to 194kW per unit, allowing drivers to charge quickly with CCS1 or NACS plugs while reducing strain on the grid. The site’s location on Interstate 84 is key because Arrowhead serves more than 1.7 million vehicles a year. Many drive the steep, rough weather-prone Cabbage Hill grade, where a full charge is essential for safety.
“We partnered with XCharge NA because they provide a grid-friendly charging solution with battery storage that seamlessly integrates with a custom solar canopy – a perfect fit for our climate,” said Tom Fine, general manager of Arrowhead Travel Plaza.
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Each GridLink charger includes bidirectional capability, meaning it can send power back to the grid or function off-grid in the event of an emergency. It also has a built-in safety system that monitors battery packs with multiple sensors and fire suppression technology.
With this project, XCharge North America now operates in 18 states. Cofounder and president Aatish Patel called Oregon’s first solar-supplemented DC fast-charging site a milestone: “Our Arrowhead Travel Plaza installation goes beyond simply delivering ultra-fast charging – it’s a powerful demonstration of how integrating our GridLink technology with solar power can offset grid demand, enhance a charging site’s resilience and flexibility, and even bolster the region’s energy architecture.”
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Bluetti launches new Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station with exclusive savings starting from $735
Bluetti has launched its newest backup power solution, and we’ve secured some exclusive savings for our readers on it and its bundle options. You can now pick up Bluetti’s Pioneer Na(Sodium) Portable Power Station at $735.08 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5TOYS8OFF at checkout for an additional 8% savings. It’ll normally go for $1,299 at full price once these initial launch savings end, with the discount today starting things at $799, while our readers score a bonus $64 price cut further. All-in-all, that’s a combined 43% markdown that cuts a total of $564 off the tag and sets the bar for future discounts down the road.
The standout feature of Bluetti’s new Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station, as the name might hint to you, is its cold-proof construction and sodium-ion battery cells, which make it ideal for trips and/or emergencies during severe cold weather as low as -13 degrees. It’s also even more eco-friendly than typical power station designs, utilizing sustainable sodium over rare metals like lithium and cobalt. Great for ice fishing trips, snow camping, or blackouts in winter, this model brings along a 900Wh capacity that provides up to 1,500W of steady power for daily essentials, while surging up to 2,250W for high-demand appliances.
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The Bluetti Pioneer Na portable power station is built to last for 4,000+ charge cycles, with the brand rating it for a 10-year lifespan – plus, it even boasts ultra-low standby consumption of 1.5W, meaning it’ll always be ready to assist you with portable power regardless of it sitting idle for months. It sports five primary recharging methods, with a typical AC outlet putting it back to 80% in 45 minutes or to full in 65 minutes. Of course, there’s a 500W max solar input, which can also be used simultaneously with an AC outlet to cut down times to 35 minutes (80% battery) or 52 minutes (100% battery). There’s also the options to plug into your car’s auxiliary port, or you can get faster on-the-go charging from the brand’s 500W Alternator Charger 1 (bundle below).
***Note: Remember to use the exclusive code 9TO5TOYS8OFF at checkout to score the prices below; otherwise, you’ll be paying the normal launch rates.
Bluetti’s Na(Sodium) power station launch deals:
Save a total $1,116 on Tenways’ AGO X all-terrain mid-drive e-bike with FREE gear and 180Wh power bank at $1,999
Tenways is offering a special extra battery promotion (known as the Tenways Power Bank here) on its AGO X All-Terrain e-bike at $1,999 shipped that also comes with $307 in FREE additional add-on gear, while also offering a 50% discount on the standalone power bank, were you wanting to pick one up for any other models from the brand you may already have. The AGO X e-bike normally goes for $2,499 without discounts, which we’ve mostly seen taken down to this rate over the year, with some occasional drops lower to $1,899. This is the first bundle with the Tenways Power Bank ($309 value), however, giving you a total of $1,116 savings, which is the biggest deal we’ve tracked to date. Alongside this model, you can also find the CGO600 Pro Lightweight e-bikes with $300 price cuts and $118 in FREE gear, as well as the option for a 50% off Power Bank add-on.
Mount this tiltable BougeRV e-bike rack hitch to your vehicle and carry up to 200 pounds for a new $350 low
Through its official Amazon storefront, BougeRV is now offering the best rate yet on its 2-inch e-bike Rack Hitch with Ramp for cars, SUVs, and trucks at $349.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page coupon. Earlier in the week we spotted its more affordable e-bike-compatible counterpart returning to its $180 low, and now, this more premium model is coming down from its full $500 price tag to follow suit. Discounts here have only gone as low as $400 up until today, with that rate beaten out by this $150 markdown that lands costs at a new all-time low price.
Greenworks’ gen 2 13A 1,900 PSI portable compact electric pressure washer goes anywhere for $110
Amazon is offering the Greenworks 13A 1,900 PSI Portable Compact Electric Pressure Washer at $109.99 shipped, which matches the price direct from the brand’s website. While it carries a $160 MSRP, this newer cleaning model has been keeping down at $128 at Amazon since the summer began, with this rate only having been beaten by the one-time $104 low we spotted during the Prime Day event last week. If you missed your chance at that low price, you’re getting the next-best rate here with a total $50 savings from its MSRP. You can also shop all the brand’s current electric pressure washer deals by heading to its Amazon storefront here.
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.