Minimizing carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible: this is the most stringent goal of Toyota, which wants to accelerate the electrification process of its range and, at the same time, offer a diversified range of low-impact propulsion solutions. environmental. The manufacturer has pledged to launch an increasing number of battery-powered vehicles, of which the first is the Suv bZ4X, recently presented. By 2030, the manufacturer expects a mix of 100% electric car sales of at least 50% in Western Europe. Objectives that have been outlined in the course of Kenshiki Forumheld in Brussels.
Toyota bZ4X
“From 2030, we expect further acceleration of ZEV demand and Toyota will be poised to catch up 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles by 2035 in Western Europe, assuming that sufficient infrastructure for electric recharging and hydrogen refueling is available by that date, in addition to the increase in renewable energy capacity that will be required, “he explained Matt Harrison, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.
However, Toyota confirms its holistic approach to the issue of decarbonisation, which also includes hybrid cars and hydrogen. The Japanese giant, in fact, argues that the diversification of propulsion solutions is the best strategy to have cleaner mobility more quickly; especially by virtue of the great diversity of markets around the world and the uneven nature of energy sources in the various geographical areas.
Toyota Yaris GR hydrogen, prototype
“While Toyota is committed to making millions of battery electric vehicles available to customers, the way to minimize net carbon emissions globally is to use all electrified solutions, in the right proportion,” he said. Gill Pratt, Toyota Chief Scientist: “Hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in electric hybrids, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric, to best meet infrastructure constraints and customer needs in each geographic area, limited supply of batteries and improve their performance “.
The manufacturer will invest in the research and development of batteries 11.5 billion euros. “The production of Fr.rhyme bipolar battery in nickel metal hydride (NiMh) to the world which, in addition to using a smaller amount of precious metals, has a lower cost and a double power density than a normal NiMh battery “, explained Gerald Killmann, Vice President of Toyota Motor Europe R&D:” Applying techniques similar to lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries, combined with further efficiencies in vehicle energy consumption, Toyota expects to achieve in the second half of this decade a 50% reduction in the cost of the battery per vehicle, without reducing the range, thus making battery electric vehicles more advantageous and accessible “. While the “solid state” batteries, which promise to greatly reduce charging times and guarantee greater power, will be introduced initially in hybrid vehicles and then on electric ones.
Space too hydrogen, which Toyota indicates as a fundamental element of its carbon dioxide reduction strategy, even in the non-automotive field. That’s why the fuel cell system of the Mirai, the brand’s hydrogen sedan, has been redesigned into more compact and lighter modules, based on a second generation fuel cell system, capable of ensuring greater power density.
Production of these modules will begin in January 2022, also in Europe, at the Toyota Motor Europe (TME) research and development facility in Zaventem, Brussels. For the Japanese multinational, “the expansion of a European hydrogen economy will be a key element in achieving the Green Deal goal of eliminating emissions guilty of global warming by 2050”.
The brand also unveiled the prototype of the GR Yaris powered by hydrogen (which is burned in place of traditional gasoline). The concept car shares the same powertrain as the Corolla Sport experimental running in the Super Taikyu series, in Japan. The technology of hydrogen-powered thermal engines “offers almost zero emissions while maintaining the acoustic and sensory sensations typical of combustion engines”, claims the manufacturer. The development of this solution continues in Japan, in the extreme conditions of motorsport.
