TOKYO. Japanese automaker Toyota has introduced a futuristic twist on the traditional internal combustion engine, branding it as “an engine reborn.” During a three-hour presentation in Tokyo on Tuesday, Toyota announced plans to develop compact engines powered by green fuels such as hydrogen and bioethanol, which can also be paired with zero-emissions electric motors in hybrid vehicles.
This move comes as many of Toyota’s competitors, particularly in China, are accelerating their shift towards fully electric vehicles (EVs). Chinese automaker BYD is gaining significant traction in the battery electric vehicle (BEV) market, challenging industry leader Tesla.
Toyota’s Chief Executive Koji Sato emphasized that the new engine is “optimized for the electrification era,” aiming to contribute to global carbon neutrality. The company’s well-known hybrid model, the Prius, already utilizes a combination of a gas engine and an electric motor to provide a cleaner driving experience. In future hybrids, the electric motor will take the primary role, with the new engine playing a supportive function.
The presentation, dubbed a “multi-pathway workshop,” featured Toyota’s domestic allies Subaru Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp., both of which are developing ecological engines to meet stringent future emissions standards. “Each company wants to win, but we can be faster if we work together,” said Sato.
Although the exact market release dates for these new engines were not disclosed, the companies showcased their ongoing efforts to adapt traditional engines for a greener future. Mazda highlighted the adaptation of its renowned rotary engine, while Subaru presented its smaller horizontally opposed engine. Subaru’s Chief Technology Officer, Tetsuro Fujinuki, stated that while the company is developing a distinctive electric vehicle, it will not abandon the traditional engine entirely.
Toyota, meanwhile, is also working on stylish BEVs. Executives noted the varying global energy supply conditions and the significant investments required for mass-producing BEVs. They stressed that a sudden shift to electric cars is neither economically feasible nor socially responsible, given that 5.5 million jobs in Japan’s vehicle production supply chain are at stake.
Takahiro Fujimoto, a business professor at Waseda University, acknowledged the importance of EVs in reducing emissions but pointed out their weaknesses, such as the high emissions produced during lithium-ion battery manufacturing. He suggested that in Japan, where commuters primarily use trains, rail transportation might be a more ecological choice.
“At the very least, I believe the proliferation of and innovations in BEVs are definitely needed. But that argument is logically not the same as saying that all we need are BEVs,” Fujimoto said. He added that achieving global carbon neutrality will be a lengthy process involving numerous challenges in research, development, and adaptation to social, political, and market conditions. “The carbon neutrality the world is aspiring toward isn’t likely attainable for decades to come. It’s going to be a long marathon race,” he concluded.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
