Despite Quick Charging, Toyota Exec Says Electric Cars Won't Work For Long Ranges

Toyota does not like battery-electric cars, and the world's largest carmaker isn't shy about that sentiment.

Through numerous ads and statements from its executives, the carmaker has repeatedly criticized the short ranges and long charging times of battery-electric vehicles.

Instead, Toyota suggests that hybrids--in which it leads the industry--and its upcoming 2016 Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car will jointly be the right way to cut energy use.

DON'T MISS: 10 Questions On Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Cars To Ask Toyota, Honda & Hyundai (Oct 2014)

The company's latest anti-battery paean comes from the Mirai's chief engineer, Yoshikazu Tanaka.

At a recent test-drive event, he said electric cars won't spread, even if much faster charging stations are developed, according to Reuters Canada.

Mass use of fast charging would overwhelm the grid, he said.

Even if technology were developed to charge a 310-mile car in 12 minutes, the Toyota executive said, it would probably end up "using up electricity required to power 1,000 houses."

In other words, battery-powered cars will hog all of the electricity.

"Toyota isn't denying the benefits of EVs," Tanaka went on to say. But the company thinks grid capacity will inevitably impose a cap on range and charging times.

CHECK OUT: 2016 Toyota Mirai: First Drive Of Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Sedan (Dec 2014)

The company believes electric cars are only viable on a large scale if they are recharged at night and driven only short distances during the day, Tanaka said.

He said hydrogen has the advantage of being portable, and is much easier to store than electricity.

And, as the most abundant element in the universe, Tanaka noted that it can be extracted from many sources.