In pursuing carbon neutrality, carbon is our enemy, not the internal combustion engine. That was what Toyota president Akio Toyoda said at the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) press conference earlier this month.
Toyoda, who is also chairman of JAMA, was talking about carbon neutrality, the approach of governments as well as the impact of phasing out the internal combustion engine (ICE) for electric vehicles (EVs). The Toyota boss defended the Japanese auto industry and its CO2 reduction record, and called for a wider view in the mission of achieving carbon neutrality.
He also – in polite words – urged Japan’s leaders not to blindly follow the European model when it comes to EV adoption. Strong views from Japan’s most prominent auto exec, and these quotes and graphics are via the carmaker’s official mouthpiece Toyota Times.
“As COP26 approaches in November, representatives from each country have pledged various targets. To reach these goals, some have targeted cars, which is just one last process of CO2 emissions, and moved toward restricting some available options,” he started, referring to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference that will be held in Scotland in late October.
“In pursuing carbon neutrality, carbon is our enemy, not the internal combustion engine. To reduce carbon, I believe there should be practical and sustainable solutions that fit the circumstances of each country and region,” Toyoda said, adding that as an early proponent of electrified vehicles (via hybrids), Japan’s auto industry has been able to cut CO2 emissions by 23% over the past 20 years, a very high level by international standards (see charts below).
“What we need to do over the next several years is to leverage the technological advantages that we have built up and take immediate steps to maximise CO2 reductions using the electrified vehicles we have now. Any leeway that cars are able to generate in the process may allow to put more time and resources towards technological innovation in other industries.
“Based on that thinking, I believe that exploring options which fit with our country’s circumstances is both a practical and fundamentally Japanese approach,” he stressed.
These views are consistent with Toyota’s keep all powertrain options open approach, as opposed to the many carmakers who are now betting the whole house on EVs, so to speak. Governments, led by Europe (who let’s not forget, until very recently championed the now pariah diesel engine) have been pushing the auto industry in the direction of EVs, creating deadlines for the phasing out of ICE.
“The Japanese government has determined various targets, likely with the upcoming COP26 in mind, but first of all it is just targets that they show us, and second of all, the targets seem to be based on how policies are discussed in Europe, not on the particular situation in Japan. That is why I would like to ask for your understanding that the paths to carbon neutrality differ in each country,” Toyoda said.
Climate change is a popular cause these days, and politicians around the world are championing the green agenda. Japanese politicians aren’t excluded, and some have took aim at ICE and manufacturing. The JAMA chairman hit back.
“The Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election is looming. Some politicians have previously claimed that all cars should simply be battery electric vehicles, or that manufacturing is an old legacy. To these points, I disagree.
“It’s easy to dismiss efforts by saying that our present course holds no future. But I believe that in order to protect the lives and livelihoods of Japanese people, we need to create a future that builds on the efforts of those who came before, as well as those of us living in the present – to ensure that the course we have charted has a future,” he said.
The Toyota boss pointed out that the topic of carbon neutrality is closely tied to employment – the auto industry employs 5.5 million people in Japan, 10% of the country’s workforce, and it exports 70 trillion yen of products annually, which is 20% of all goods heading out of the export-driven country. At stake here is the “lives and livelihoods of Japanese people,” he said.
“If ICE are referred to as the enemy in the battle of carbon neutrality, we wouldn’t be able to produce most of our vehicles. In our estimate, non-ICE vehicles (BEVs and FCEVs) will not reach two million units even in 2030, so in that case, vehicle production of more than eight million units would be lost.
“If that happens, even in the automotive industry that increased 120,000 jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic last year, we might lose the vast majority of our 5.5 million jobs. I would like policy makers to understand this point when addressing the environmental issue moving forward this year,” he explained.
Saying what he said, it can lead to one assuming that Toyota and the Japanese car industry is opposing change to maintain status quo, but Toyoda insists that it’s not the case. “Please note that we are not disagreeing on the goal of becoming carbon neutral. It is the automotive industry’s unwavering commitment to fully cooperate with the government in addressing global warming and CO2 emissions reduction. Let me make sure of that point,” he stressed.
Toyoda also revealed some JAMA initiatives towards the goal of carbon neutrality, as well as engagement with the government.
“JAMA is working towards carbon neutrality by drawing on our country’s strength in offering a full lineup of electrified vehicles. Establishing task forces based on the specialties of member companies, we have identified the challenges and engaged in discussions with relevant government agencies. Each company is also speeding up efforts to expand technology options through new partnerships and practical trials.
“Clarifying these challenges and timelines can spur action on various fronts. That is why, next month, we plan to present the challenges related to energy, which is the starting point towards carbon neutrality, from the automotive industry’s perspectives, with a focus on practicality and sustainability,” he said.
The Japanese auto industry isn’t shirking from the challenge; instead, it wants to be a “pacemaker” in the country’s journey towards carbon neutrality. “The CO2 emissions by the transportation sector may only account for 18% among all sectors in Japan. However, the automotive industry has real products made in collaboration with many other industries. That’s why I believe focusing on the automotive industry can clarify the challenges and timelines of carbon neutrality.
“This is exactly about wanting to be a pacemaker in pursuing carbon neutrality as we have often explained before. We will present what I just described in more detail next month, so please look forward to it until then,” Toyoda said.
Interesting views from Toyota and Japan’s perspective that’s likely to be quite unique in today’s auto industry, which feels a bit like “EV or nothing”. There are two counterpoints not raised here. Some studies show that the materials needed to make EV batteries could account for a larger share of total greenhouse gas emissions than those from a car’s tailpipes, which everyone focuses on.
Also, while EVs themselves are zero emissions on the move, the electricity that powers them might not be so. It will be fully clean from well to wheel, if the source of electricity is renewable. Examples are power generated from biomass, water, wind or solar. On the opposite end is power from coal.
At Toyota’s annual shareholder meeting in June, director Shigeki Terashi said that when looking at reducing carbon emissions, there’s one school of thought that says we should focus on EVs, but “we’re choosing to look at the whole lifecycle,” including production, use and scrapping-related emissions.
Toyota has always seen hydrogen as the future of driving. Hydrogen is an element that’s abundant in the environment and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) like the Mirai – now in its second generation – emit nothing but water. Toyota is even experimenting a hydrogen engine, which is like an internal combustion engine, but powered by hydrogen instead of petrol. This tech is currently being proven in Japan’s Super Taikyu race series and Toyoda himself has had a stint behind the wheel under his “Morizo” racing alter ego.
At one point, Toyota looked like it was skipping EVs to concentrate on FCEVs (while hybrids hold the fort), but the EV wave is too strong to ignore. The big T has been making up for lost time by partnering with battery manufacturers and EV specialists to get up to speed. Premium brand Lexus has already confirmed three EVs through 2025, and the production version of the Toyota bZ4X Concept will surface next year.
In the meantime, Toyota will have to continue to battle perception that it’s a laggard in electric. In a study from earlier this year, European campaign group Transport and Environment placed Toyota last among 10 major brands in Europe in terms of readiness in making the transition to electric by the end of the decade. Hardcore environmentalists in the US are even calling for people to boycott Toyota for allegedly using its money and influence to slow down EV progress!
Click on the links in the story for further reading. What’s your view on this?
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extracting hydrogen from crude oil natural gas, co2 and toxin is still a by-product
Extracting electric from the plant, co2 and toxin is still a by-product
That’s why globally, model country only target carbon neutral also at early as 2050
Don’t forget, electric batteries also made from rare earth mineral mining materials.
Ironically Sony Japan commercialized Li-Ion battery invented by British scientist last century
You can’t extract electricity, you could only generates electricity. Next time don’t skip school basic science class.
So what about those rare earth mineral mining? No impact at all?
Not for Japan as they don’t have rare earth mineral mining.
Did you know rare earth minerals also heavily utilized inside microchips electronic control board LCD cluster panel ?
They’re working towards the mass production of hydrogen from the electrolysis of water, at a practical lower cost.. Be patient.
Water sourced from where? electricity for electrolysis generated by which power plant?
Nuclear power plant in Japan
Best example of Fukushima plant
probably u live so far inland that u hv never heard of the sea or the ocean
Pity people of Switzerland never heard of the sea or the ocean
Electrolysis itself cannot be improved.
The carbon is stored underground. Only hydrogen is extracted by a chemical process.
Toyota getting worried la. Simple logic. EV is the future. Operating cost is so cheap. tak payah pump petrol mahal mahal, no need tukar minya hitam, tak payah risau pasal overheating, gearbox dan lain lain. Macam handphone je. Charge dan zoooooom. x yah pening
Whatever you said above is making a 10 year old child. Only look at thing from the surface.
EVs are terrible for the environment when you consider how the electricity is generated and the disposal of the batteries. The mining for the rare earth minerals is ripping our world apart.
I second this… never like EV car anyway.
Yes our Gomen have been following Akio Toyoda advice all these while. We can’t be wrong since he can’t be wrong.
Sejak bila Akio Toyoda campurtangan dalam politik Mesia?
As more and more EVs goes on the road, the less and less petrol stations will exist. Think about that when deciding whether to go for EV production or not. However the good thing is EV R&D costs are lower and production time is much quicker so being late on the boat is not necessarily a bad thing.
Toyota may emerge as no.1 EV producer from being the last in a short time span.
Well then, show result on your ICE product first.
Guess Toyota is admitting they can’t catch up with EV tech.
His decision have made wise move for not sell EV only immediately
The manufacturing of EV battery itself is already doing more harm to the environment. What’s worst is the disposing of battery after end of live that is even more harmful for the environment.
European always just think of rushing their EV and make money, dont really care much about long term sustainability.
Look at dieselgate and you will know the European always got it wrong.
At least Toyota makes a long term plan that is more sustainable rather than following the hype
“Toyota can’t catch up with EV tech.” Hahahaha! You are the joker of the day.
There’s a reason why Japanese economy has been stagnant and decline since the 90s. They ain’t changing with times. How smart phones killed their domestic unique to Japan phones is a great example of their stubbornness to move with changing times. They depended too much of hardware but made very little effort on the software side of things.
From 2035 (+XX years) onwards, there will be no petrol stations in the EU any more.
As Toyota surely won’t open it’s own hydrogen distribution network there, will they leave the EU (and the UK) market then?
But Toyota aims to make its global factories carbon neutral in 2035 and pulling forward the goal by 15 years from 2050.
This doesn’t answer the question.
What a question? Your thought only got 3 inch deep into the future. Toyota has miles.
EV technologies industries make more carbon than traditional engine technology
Guna je la minyak sawit recycle. Habis cerita.
I like the hydrogen fuel cell option.
But I still would like to see car companies (and countries) being led by younger leaders, not almost 70-year old men who have far less to lose when climate change really starts to screw up the way we live in the not too distant future.
Toyoda-san is much younger in heart than you think.
He changed Toyota from a boring uncle car company to much more better ride and handling cars today. He tell his ppl “no more boring cars” and that is where you get TNGA, Gazoo Racing, GR Yaris, winning rally and Le Mans.
The new Camry and Corolla Altis chassis is way more competent that Honda.
He doesnt agree on the BEV hype doesnt mean he is old thinking. He is wiser, having long term planning on sustainability in mind.
Toyota supports EV using hydrogen FC but not batteries.
Having all the used end of life batteries are toxic and not sustainable while hydrogen FC by-product is just water.
So who is trying to save mother earth? Tesla?
I am all for Akiyo Toyoda as well. I believe in this man.
While against pollution. I agree that EV has disadvantages and gets chemical sources for battery
Battery chemical is also more harmful than carbon. Disposing EV battery is also big question?
Well said. EV is not fully ready yet. Even, distance travel have shorter distance. Don’t forget, Hydrogen vehicles have also longer distance
yes, ev carmakers stop behaving like apple. save the world by not giving you a charger to make the box smaller. and then sell u the charger with a bigger box,
More producing batteries, get problem to our world
The real man. Always salute to him. The EU is so rush, too rush to go into BEV. I don’t feel positive to BEV in long run. As it’s said in this article, producing battery can be even more destructive to the planet than driving ICE vehicles. See a lot of reports regarding lithium mining and how that harms the environment and society.
There are still a lot of western-followers. They are blind.
I noticed a lot of people trying to cancel Toyota just because they are ‘anti-EV’… the truth is, battery EVs are not the silver bullet to our climate change woes. Electric car technology is nothing new, it’s been around for over a century. The oil corporations and oil-rich countries have continuously undermined electric cars to preserve their own interests. Elon Musk and China’s government had the money and power to break out of the oil deathgrip, and jumpstart the EV rat race we’re in today. We’re witnessing a historic battle between the old guard and bullish upstarts.
Now if you think these pro-EV corporations/countries are doing it to ‘save humanity from climate extinction’, you’re missing the bigger picture. The truth is, we’re just trading one big evil, for a slightly lesser evil… all the while ignoring the elephant in the room. We already have the most practical solution there is… yes, I’m talking about public transport.
All those billions are better off invested in self-driving technology and ride-sharing as opposed to battery EVs. Everybody likes to talk about electric cars being the next big thing, but the quiet revolution is actually ride-sharing.
Malaysia still has no local electric car, yet we birthed a company which has since become one of Asia’s few decacorn corporations… Grab, founded in 2012 by Malaysian (now Singaporean) Anthony Tan (from the Tan Chong family). Now, do you hear many people talking about Grab’s contribution to carbon reduction by way of ride-sharing (yes, taxi counts as public transport) ? Nah bro. It’s not flashy or exciting like an electric car, so why bother right ?
Back in the early years, Grab tried to get a loan from Khazanah, but they were rejected… guess who came to their aid ? Singapore’s Temasek (their equivalent of Khazanah). Because no one in Malaysia seemed to care about Grab at they time (some people outright hated them), Grab packed their bags and left for Singapore. Today, Grab is worth around USD$ 40 billion (about RM 170 billion), which is far more than the annual contribution of our ENTIRE auto industry to our national GDP (4 percent, RM 40 billion). Most Malaysians still don’t realize what we lost with Grab, instead, we’re still asking “Proton/Perodua electric car when ???”.
Anyway, I honestly believe the cars of the future will self-drive on a magnetized road/track (like Maglev trains in Japan/China), have the convenience and accessibility of a Grab, and the privacy and (crash) safety of a modern car. Some Hollywood movies already got the concept 10, 20 even 30 years ago… eventually it will become reality. However, we are still a long ways off… battery EVs are just a stopgap in the grand scheme of things.
Ride hailing is actually bad for reducing carbon emission as it encourages single passenger use vehicles as compared to proper mass public transports buses, trains, trams, etc. Ones like Gojek using smoke spewing kapcais are even worse if you ask anyone living in Jakarta and other major cities there. There are many ways to encourage making money, but it must be in an environmentally sustainable way.
“Malaysia still has no local electric car”
Malysia had an electric kapchai long time ago already (Modenas CTric). It was a commercial desaster for Modenas.
EVs are damaging to environment as well. Think of the mines that extracting the rare elements & the metals that produced the batteries. And those charging stations that saps power from the electric grids..remember that 90+% of electricity comes from powerplants powered by fossil fuel..
Eu urged automakers to go for diesel engines before and they were dead wrong. Eu now are run by these environmentalist idiots who don’t know what they’re doing. Germany are now back to burn more coil because there’s more ev and phase out nuclear power plant
Toyota also producing hydrogen and hybrid technology
Yes Mr Toyota ,lonely Nokia want you as buddy
The EV car lifespan can be shorter than expected. Bcuz ppl don’t want to buy a very old EV.
It might not hit the carbon reduction as intended.
E.g nobody want a used Nissan Leaf.
Even Mudah selling used Renault zoe 7 years old but less than 20,000km.
With such low mileage, it didn’t hit that carbon reduction as required.
A EV should run as far as ICE, used as much as ICE to achieve carbon reduction.
Typical Japanese stubbornness to change…
If they were so wrong, how did Toyota became the largest carmaker? They must be right then
Nokia was the biggest cellphone manufacturer in the pre-smartphone age.
Nokia’s mistake was to partner with Microsoft to produce smartphones that ran on the mobile version of Windows OS when Android became more popular. Later, under new management, Nokia produced Android smartphones but it was already too late. As for Toyota, it’s still to early to say whether they’ve already made the same mistake as Nokia.
And BlackBerry?
Battery chemical is also more harmful than carbon emit. Disposing EV battery is also big question?
Toyota got most of the things right compared to the western counterpart. Toyota built the most reliable cars, the most reliable hybrids.
Just look at how European got it so wrong with diesel engine on passenger cars and got blown by the diesel gate. The European EV craze is just to save face from the previous diesel gate and just bull doze all the way because of the EV hype by “T” in the US. On the other hand Toyota got their hybrid system right.
Sooner or later, the BEV car makers will realize they got it wrong again when the battery raw materials are getting scarce, and the battery manufacturing process is doing more harm to the environment.
Toyota will get it right with hydrogen in the long run.
Toyota will lose all markets that are not going the hydrogen way as there is no and won’t be hydrogen infrastructure.
BTW: You didn’t mention Toyota’s “brake gate”? Why?
@Dream125, because we are talking about power train in this topic.. that’s y
Let’s see who will reach the finishing line..
That’s not true. Toyota and some like BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen have made their wise move for not selling EV immediately. Selling EV immediately, EV is not only dangerous by making more batteries, also don’t know where they throw EV batteries
EV infrastructure should be provided by the Manufacturer.
they are heavily subsidized and giving less tax to the Country, and yet calling government for Free Charging Infrastructure?
As if money fall from the sky.
EU have time and time again made mistakes. Diesel was one of them.
Yeap, EU should build more and increase production of their coal powerplants and use their low grade coal.
Which one pollutes more?
BMW experimented with hydrogen fuel ICE back in 2005 & gave up on it.
Somehow, Toyota seems to stubbornly want to go down this road. Their hydrogen fuel cell would be more promising.
Rare earth is not rare any more ??
It is a panic move by US and EU to reduce carbon emission to limit global warming to below 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial level. But US and EU still maintain large fleets of military aircrafts and ships that emit huge amount of carbon which they are not obliged to cut under the Paris agreement. I am with Toyota on this. The only way forward I see here is to for car companies to invest more on graphene battery and fuel-cell technology.
I guess it’s a move to “shuffle cards again”. Not only Toyota will be the loser in US and EU markets, VW IS already a loser there.
That’s not true. Toyota and some like BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen have made their wise move for not selling EV immediately. Selling EV immediately, EV is not only dangerous by making more batteries, also don’t know where they throw EV batteries
If want to achieve 100% carbon neutrality, human need to extinct since we made of carbon.
Meh. As though the government of Japan would listen. There is a reason why many countries are “gently” pushing EVs and not just let the market do it. If Toyoda’s arguments hold any ground then why no country or another huge automaker is on his side?
Countries who has the best EV transition, gains the most in cost savings.