Toyota’s long-term strategy is to work simultaneously on a range of green technologies that will lead to the creation of the ultimate eco-car: a vehicle that produces zero exhaust emissions and has no negative impact on the environment. 

Oil is a limited resource and its use has a negative impact on the environment. Over the medium- to long-term, energy sources will also continue to diversify, so we must develop technologies that support the most promising of these.

In addressing these and other environmental challenges, we are focussed on maximising the efficiency of our conventional engine technologies, like petrol and clean diesel, while also developing new technologies that exploit the potential of electric energy and alternative fuels, such as biofuels and hydrogen.

One of the most promising technologies for reducing emissions is our full hybrid [internal link] technology, as it allows us to combine different power sources in ways that maximise the strengths of each.

Our multi-path approach means that we have to identify both the needs of our customers and the opportunities to deliver to them optimal technology solutions. What this also means is that one technology does not suit every driver’s needs the world over.

The green area on the image above positions full hybrid [internal link] as the core technology for 21st century mobility and foresees a bright future for mass commercialisation of models which are based on hybrid systems. 

To the right, you can see the kind of mobility applications that are best met by Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles [internal links], such as Toyota’s FCHV. And to the far left, we envisage battery-powered Electric Vehicles [internal links] meeting the need for short-range commuter and small delivery vehicles.

Each technology path brings us one step closer towards our vision of the ultimate eco-car. This vision is ambitious, but while we work towards it, we will continue to push the technological advances we are making into the market to drive improvements on the road today.