Toyota Motor Corporation’s Chief Scientist argues that in addition, short-term charging infrastructure shortcomings are preventing a universal transition to battery-electric vehicles in the short term
Toyota Motor Corporation Chief Scientist and Toyota Research Institute CEO,
gill prattdefended Toyota’s “multi-technology strategy” at the World Economic Forum in Davos to move towards carbon neutrality as lithium shortages and shortcomings in charging services persist.
In
a conference entitled ‘Reinvent the wheel’, Dr. Pratt explained how to achieve net zero emissions while minimizing carbon buildup. While zero-emission vehicles, including battery electrics, are expected to predominate in the long term, current lithium shortages and poor charging infrastructure prevent a universal transition to these vehicles in the near term.
Against this background, he outlined how we can accelerate the decarbonization process during this transition period by building battery electric vehicles and other electrified vehicles that consume much less lithium.
In this way,
Japanese car manufacturer he wants to put the technologies around hydrogen at the forefront, “trying to make it the main energy source of tomorrow’s society”.
This multi-technology strategy – encompassing battery electric, fuel cell electric, plug-in hybrid and electric hybrid vehicles – offers the opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint today, regardless of the environment.
Toyota participated,
through the Rookie Racing team, in any Japanese Super Taikyu series endurance race with a hydrogen combustion GR Corolla H2. During this time, Toyota president Akio Toyoda, under his pseudonym ‘Morizo’, sat behind the wheel of every race to contribute to evaluation and development.
Outside Japan, a Toyota hydrogen-powered car made its first public road trip in Europe in August this year, putting the GR Yaris H2 through its paces at World Rally Championship events—World Rally Championship (WRC)—in Ypres (Belgium).
For instance,
over the course of one season of the Super Taikyu seriesToyota has managed to increase hydrogen combustion power by 24% and torque by 33%, which means performance comparable to that of a conventional petrol engine.
This technological advancement has given Toyota engineers the confidence to create a concept vehicle for the road: the Corolla Cross H2 Concept.
when equipping
the 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbo engine of the GR Corolla with high-pressure direct hydrogen injection engine technology derived from automotive activity, adding the knowledge of the Mirai’s hydrogen refueling plant, Toyota has succeeded in developing a hydrogen-based Corolla Cross H2 prototype that can carry five passengers and their luggage. Real-world evaluations are currently underway as digital development continues, and the vehicle will soon begin winter testing in northern Japan.
At the same time, maintaining its multi-technology commitment, the Japanese company has announced the start of production of its 5th generation electric hybrid engines.
for the new Toyota Corolla.
This 5th generation Toyota offers electric hybrid technology
lighter and more compact electric motors, which increase the share of electric propulsion in the hybrid system. As a result of the improved combustion engine calibrations, the vehicle has more power, better overall performance and a superior driving experience, as well as lower CO2 emissions for the 1.8-litre version. The total power of the electric hybrid drive with the 1.8-liter engine is 140 hp, which can reduce the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 1.7 seconds to 9.2 seconds.
“Toyota’s affordable, low-emission hybrid electric vehicles play an important role in our European multi-technology strategy to help the world reduce CO2 emissions. Currently, electric hybrid technology accounts for 70% and 85% of
the engines and transmissions manufactured in TMMP and TMUKreflecting ever-increasing customer demand for Toyota hybrid electric products,” said Marvin Cooke, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing, Toyota Motor Europe.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
