Mobility for Africa Sues Toyota Over 3-Wheeled EV Technology, Citing 322 Vehicles to Kenya's 70
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 20
Mobility for Africa Sues Toyota Over 3-Wheeled EV Technology, Citing 322 Vehicles to Kenya's 70
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 20
Summary
A California federal lawsuit filed last month accuses Toyota Mobility Foundation of taking Mobility for Africa’s three-wheeled EV technology and plans, then passing them to a for-profit operator in Kenya.
Mobility for Africa says the alleged theft has hurt its ability to raise money and expand beyond Zimbabwe, where its vehicles are used to help rural farmers—especially women—get goods to market.
The dispute centers on small projects by auto-industry standards: Mobility for Africa operates 322 vehicles in Zimbabwe, while the Kenyan project it challenges has 70, according to its website.
The case puts fresh scrutiny on Toyota, which sold more than 11 million vehicles last year and has already faced criticism from environmentalists for moving slowly on EVs and lobbying to ease emissions rules.