Toyota’s chairman Akio Toyoda has claimed that there is still a future for internal combustion engines (ICE) even in the pursuit of reduced carbon emissions. The assertion by the Toyota Chairman is bound to draw attention from industry watchers and policymakers alike.
Toyota’s Chairman was speaking at a press conference at the Tokyo Auto Salon when he revealed that Toyota was developing next-generation ICE models that will play an important role in achieving a carbon-neutral environment. Mister Toyoda stated that there is still a role for ICEs as a practical means of achieving carbon neutrality and Toyota is thus refining engine technology. Even with the rapid development and deployment of battery-electric technology in modern cars, Toyoda feels engine technology development is a necessary step toward the future.
It is believed that Toyota’s next-generation vehicles will use advanced internal combustion engines beginning this year. Toyota says its development of cutting-edge engine technology will help safeguard Japan’s automotive sector which currently employs approximately 5.5 million people. The challenge in ICE vehicles is the critical reduction of carbon emissions and Toyota aims to achieve this in several ways. The engines could come with higher compression and cleaner burning technologies. Toyota is also developing engines that run on the cleaner hydrogen fuel.
At the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota showcased some impressive ICE models like the GR Yaris and the Lexus LBX RR Morizo Concept with a 300hp engine. The models, as well as others under development, hold a lot of promise to have a future of ICE vehicles with reduced emissions. Toyota will have to up its technology to be able to compete with battery-electric EVs which have become the vehicles of choice across the population.
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