The problem is Toyota has marketed them as partial EV, which they never were. These are hyper-miling gas cars. The battery is only there to absorb break losses, and provide gentle acceleration when the engine can be off.

The other argument I hear is that hybrids are too complex because it has a gas and electric. But what is missed is that mechanically there are simplifications. Aside from the brilliant transmission, all the power steering, air con, etc are powered by electrical rather than belts. This means they work even with the engine off. To me, belts are just another point of failure/maintenance and noise - I’m glad to be rid of them.