Diversified Electrification – The Key for Toyota's Challenge towards a Sustainable Society

Authors

Keiji Kaita, Field General Manager, Powertrain Company,
Toyota Motor Corporation, Aichi, Japan

Year

2019

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Reihe 12, Nr. 811

Summary

The Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 was announced in 2015. Challenge 1 sets out a target of reducing the tailpipe CO₂ emissions of new cars by 90% in 2050 compared to 2010. This target can only be achieved through the electrification of powertrains. At the same time, one of Toyota’s key development principles is that environmentally friendly vehicles can only help to improve the environment if they appeal to a large number of people. Based on this principle, Toyota believes that diversified electrification will be an indispensable part of helping to achieve a sustainable society. Unlike the conventional approach of focusing solely on tank-to-wheel CO₂ emissions, Challenge 2 focuses on life cycle CO₂ emissions and Challenge 3 focuses on CO₂ emissions during manufacturing. Consequently, it will be important to pursue electrification in line with regional circumstances as well as the needs of customers. Toyota has developed all the necessary technologies for next-generation environmentally friendly vehicles such as plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) using its long experience in developing the three core technologies of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), namely the motor, power control unit (PCU), and the battery. Of these technologies, the popularization of PHEVs and BEVs will depend on advances in battery and charging technologies, as well as future initiatives to lower CO₂ emissions during manufacturing. With FCEVs, the aim is to reduce environmental impacts over the whole life cycle and facilitate the achievement of a society based on sustainable energy by developing hydrogen production technology and logistics with lower CO₂ emissions in collaboration with social infrastructure, while also lowering CO₂ emissions during manufacturing.