The Toyota Chairman said alternatives such as hydrogen should be considered as well.
Despite being a leader in the automotive industry, Toyota does not agree with other carmakers about going for a full electric vehicle (EV) lineup. Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, the company's former CEO and now chairman of the board, reaffirms that EVs are not the only solution to reduce carbon emissions and, ultimately, solve global warming.
Automotive News Europe spoke with the Toyota chairman during the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the automaker finished in second, just behind the returning Ferrari team. Toyoda had interesting takes on how the company plans to shift to a more sustainable future, saying there are plenty of alternatives to consider.
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“My view regarding BEVs is that they are one of the most important technologies in contributing to reducing global warming, but not the only solution,” said Toyoda.
While major players such as Volkswagen have already rolled out a wide range of EV models, Toyota only offers the bZ4X in the market, including the US. However, the Japanese automaker has a boatload of hybrid models, which help bridge the bridge between ICEs and EVs.
Toyoda stated that not everyone can access a comprehensive charging infrastructure, hence the reluctance to go as a full EV company. He further explained people who do not have enough infrastructure will be affected by the ambitious shift to EVs.
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Aside from EVs, Toyota is venturing into the fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) market, with the hydrogen-powered Mirai made available to car buyers. The brand is also championing this technology by running hydrogen-powered cars in the motorsports scene, proving that FCEVs are capable of performing at a high level.
Toyoda indicated that the best way to reduce carbon emissions is to offer a mixture of technologies not limited to EVs. Synthetic fuel was also suggested, albeit he acknowledged the high commercial use cost.
Amid the slow EV adoption, Toyota is already working on its next-generation battery technologies that promise a whopping cruising range of 930 miles (1,500 km) and a charging time that adds 600 miles of range in just 10 minutes. The company is slated to launch this technology by 2026.
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Keyword: Toyota Says EVs Alone Will Not Stop Global Warning