Japan's Toyota defies electric rush: aims to innovate and extend lifespan of gasoline cars
Japanese people are renowned for being practical, a trait exemplified by Akio Toyoda, the former president of Toyota and the great-grandson of the company's founder. At the Tokyo Motor Show, the businessman revealed that for Toyota, the upcoming years will not mark the end of internal combustion engines. Toyoda believes it's possible to achieve ecological goals while still satisfying customers who value the sound, operation style, and smell of an internal combustion engine. Of course, it's not just about keeping customers happy - without gasoline cars, they would still need to buy something else.
5:11 AM EST, January 13, 2024
As reported by Automotive News Europe, Akio Toyoda stated the shift toward zero emissions should be gradual to prevent a major disruption in the automotive industry. Around 5.5 million people work in the industry in Japan, many of whom are involved in manufacturing components for gasoline cars. "We cannot afford to lose these people," Toyoda declared.
The Japanese brand will continue to innovate in the domain of gasoline engines, and a specialized research program aims to develop more eco-friendly solutions. According to Toyoda, the promotion of electric cars is not the only method of conservation. Although specific details weren't provided, the strategy likely involves further refining the drive systems, primarily hybrid ones. Therefore, considerations include improving the engine's thermal efficiency, optimizing the structure and operation of the gearbox, and enhancing compression in the combustion process.
Worth mentioning, Toyota hasn't been merely aiming to keep pace with international competition in the realm of electric cars. The company has stated they will present a commercial version of a traction battery with a solid electrolyte within a few years. These batteries feature a higher energy storage density and faster charging capacity, which could potentially reshape the concept of electric cars.
Toyota believes there will not be an entire shift towards one type of car technology in the coming years. Gasoline, electric (possibly with various types of batteries), and to some extent, hydrogen vehicles will continue to coexist. Akio Toyoda's statement implies that the lifespan of gasoline cars (at least in areas where they are not prohibited by regulations) might be longer than predicted.
