While many auto manufacturers have begun to use electric vehicles to cut carbon emissions, the Toyotas aren’t ready to drop their combustion engines.
Akio Toyoda (president of Toyota Motors) believes there should be other options than fossil fuels or electric vehicles.
“On top of that, the enemy is carbon, not internal combustion engines,”He stated. “We shouldn’t just focus on one option.”
“Based on various technologies that we have already used so far, I think there might be a way to make use of internal combustion engines for carbon neutrality and even develop it.”
During the COP 26 UN climate change summit, six major carmakers — including General Motors and Mercedes Benz — pledged to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in cars by 2040.
Toyota has 15 EV models in the pipeline by 2025. However, they have not joined that group.
The Japanese automaker instead is exploring hydrogen-powered vehicles.
It’s simple and safe for the environment. Hydrogen fuel reacts with oxygen in air to create enough energy to propel the car. Water, which is produced at the rear of the vehicle, is the only byproduct.
Hydrogen-filling stations, however, are uncommon and not many auto manufacturers have yet adopted the hydrogen fuel combustion engines.
Toyota has over 5,000 patents for hydrogen fuel cell technology. They are offering these patents to other auto makers royalty-free to encourage greater use of this alternative fuel.
Because it isn’t about competition, it is about conserving the environment.