Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) president Akio Toyoda revealed an electric Hilux concept at the Toyota Motor Thailand 60th anniversary celebration but reiterated his belief that manufacturers should not commit to 100% battery electric vehicle (BEV) production.
He says TMC does not take a one-size-fits-all approach to its products and powertrains and believes hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell technology has a role to play alongside battery electric vehicle technology.
He introduced both IMV 0 concept and the Hilux Revo BEV concept to the Thai audience saying Toyota believes in building cars to serve the real-life needs of its customers.
“I am often criticized in the press because I won’t declare that the automotive industry should commit 100% to BEV,” Toyoda says.
“I believe we need to be realistic about when society will be able to fully adopt Battery Electric Vehicles and when our infrastructure can support them at scale.
“Because just like the fully autonomous cars that we were all supposed to be driving by now, I think BEVs are just going to take longer to become mainstream than the media would like us to believe.
“BEVs are not the only way to achieve the world’s carbon neutrality goals. Personally, I would rather pursue every option, not just one,―options such as emission-free synthetic fuels and hydrogen.
“I still believe Hydrogen is as promising a technology for our future as BEV. A few months ago, I was in Belgium for the WRC race and I drove our new Hydrogen-powered Yaris for the press and public. This was my first time driving it and I was blown away by its performance.
“At Toyota we believe in creating a full portfolio of carbon-reducing choices for our customers, from hybrid electric vehicles to plug-in electric vehicles to full, battery electric cars like our new bZ4X.
“We’ve introduced fuel cell vehicles like our Toyota Mirai and are pursuing hydrogen fuel options like these GR-Yaris and Corolla Cross hydrogen-powered concept cars.
“As we work to achieve a sustainable future, I also believe we need to take a holistic approach to carbon neutrality, from how we source materials, to how we manufacture cars, to what powertrains we put in them, and how we dispose of them.
“We must remember that carbon is the real enemy, not a particular powertrain and that we can’t reach carbon neutrality on our own. It must be a group effort and include other industries beyond automotive,” he says.
