These days, everyone seems to be jumping on the electric vehicle bandwagon. It seems like a day doesn't pass without a company announcing its sustainability pledge or giving a timeline for when they are going electric. While younger consumers seem to applaud this move, older car buyers who love their gas-guzzling, loud cars are wondering why everyone has to embrace the same view of the world. Unfortunately for them, most automakers are ignoring their needs and dropping gasoline-powered cars.

To make matters worse, some states like California are even taking matters in their own hands. Just recently, the Sunshine State announced that it intends to ban the sale of new gasoline cars by 2035. How does the state intend to force Californians to stop buying gasoline-powered vehicles in other states and drive them back to Cali is a big unknown? Furthermore, how will Californians charge millions of electric vehicles when there aren’t enough EV chargers?

It seems like Governor Gavin Newsom didn’t really consider all the problems that might occur along the way, when he announced that the state will ban gasoline-powered new cars after 2035. Not everyone, however, has had a drink of the Kool-Aid and some still see reason despite global pressure. Toyota, for example, isn’t convinced that electric vehicles are the future, which is why it is focusing on hydrogen cars.

Related: Here's Why Most EVs And Plug-In Hybrids No Longer Qualify For Tax Credits

Toyota Says There Is Not Enough Demand For EVs

toyota-upcoming-EV-models
Via: Toyota

Last year, the media went crazy when it heard that Toyota is allocating $70 billion to electrify its cars by 2030, but they missed an important part — the financial commitment is for electrified vehicles. Electrification doesn’t necessarily mean electric vehicles. It could also imply plug-in hybrids. In fact, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda said at a conference in Japan that the company will adopt a multifaceted approach to reducing carbon emissions. Naturally, this means the Japanese automaker will incorporate hybrid and hydrogen-powered automobiles in its fleet.

“We want to leave all people with a choice, and rather than where or what we will focus on, we will wait a little longer until we understand where the market is going,” Toyoda said.

Evidently, the company will pursue different paths, not just the electric vehicle one. Jack Hollis, executive vice president of sales with Toyota Motor North America, stated in a webinar hosted by the Automotive Press Association that there isn’t enough demand for EVs in the United States. To be fair, the high costs and range anxiety will discourage many consumers from buying EVs.

The Infrastructure For Electric Vehicles Is Missing

EV fast chargers via GreenBiz
GreenBiz

Hollis also mentioned that the infrastructure is still not ready for mass adoption.

“I don’t think the market is ready. I don’t think the infrastructure is ready. And even if you were ready to purchase one, and if you could afford it … (the price is) still too high … It took 25 years to get to less than 10% (market share) for hybrid … The consumer isn’t demanding (EVs) at that level. The consumer is not screaming, 30% or 40% by tomorrow,” said Hollis.

Again, this is a valid argument. Not even the most environmentally conscious jurisdictions, which have developed concrete plans to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles, can prepare themselves for a massive and forced shift toward mass implementation.

“We need better infrastructure to support the huge switch to EVs. We're not there yet,” a Santa Monica resident told FOX Business in an interview on Varney & Co. “The grid can't support it.”

Related: These Are Some Of The Generous Incentives That Make EVs So Attractive In California

Affordability Issues And High Prices Keep Regular Consumers At Distance

White 2023 Toyota BZ4X Limited Windchill Pearl
Via: Toyota

Undoubtedly, the current chip shortage and supply chain issues have made all new automobiles very expensive, but even in this cutthroat market, electric vehicles seem to be out of reach for middle-class consumers. Finance Buzz highlights that the average cost of an electric vehicle is $56,437, whereas the average price of a hybrid vehicle climbed to $33,390, and the price of a gasoline-powered car is on average $42,804. It's undeniable that there is a big difference here. Meanwhile, Kelley Blue Book estimates put the average price for a new electric vehicle even higher. According to KBB, last June, the average price surged to a record level and reached $66,000.

Clearly, EVs are substantially more expensive than gas-powered cars. And thousands of dollars, not hundreds, are at stake here. At least, until recently, American buyers could benefit from the $7,500 EV tax credit. But now that the situation got messier and most hybrids no longer qualify for tax credits, interest in these vehicles declined. Furthermore, there are also the new risks associated with buying an electrical vehicle, such as limitations on EV charging.

The recent events in California serve as a warning about the dangers of depending exclusively on electric vehicles. Just to put things into perspective, the California Independent System Operator requested Californians reduce their electric use voluntarily on Wednesday and Thursday between the hours of 4 and 9 p.m.