illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Financial Times or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Toyota's longstanding investment in hybrid vehicles, which combine batteries with internal combustion engines, is gaining newfound appreciation as the market cools on fully electric vehicles (BEVs) due to high prices and charging infrastructure concerns
• This shift challenges previous criticisms from investors and environmentalists, highlighting Toyota's strategic foresight

🔭 The context: Despite rising demand for BEVs, their market share has decreased in the UK, with growth slowing in the US and Europe
• Toyota's hybrid sales surged to 3.4 million last year, significantly boosting the company's profit forecasts
• This resurgence of hybrids, seen as a transitional technology, is prompting other automakers, including General Motors and Ford, to adjust their strategies

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Hybrids, offering a blend of battery power and traditional engines, are emerging as a pragmatic solution for reducing emissions while extending the life of the internal combustion engine
• This approach supports a gradual transition towards more sustainable automotive technologies, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in the fight against climate change

⏭️ What's next: The industry's pivot towards hybrids signifies a broader, more nuanced approach to achieving emission reductions and meeting regulatory demands
• However, the long-term dominance of BEVs is still anticipated, with market dynamics and governmental policies likely to influence the pace and direction of the transition

📈 One stat: Toyota's hybrid sales increased by almost 1 million to 3.4 million last year, underlining the growing market acceptance and profitability of hybrid technology

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