Toyota Motor : Develops TNGA-based Powertrain Units for Smooth, Responsive, "As Desired" Driving

Beyond the reduction of CO2emissions through the widespread use of HVs and PHVs is the need to achieve zero CO2emissions. The widespread use of zero-emission vehicles, such as fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and EVs, is a must. The only way to achieve such is to use non-fossil-fuel hydrogen and electricity as automotive power sources and to develop powertrain technologies for vehicle electrification, such as fuel cell systems, motors and batteries, and power control units.

Toyota believes that hydrogen and electricity are important alternatives to fossil fuels for use in automobiles. As such, it intends to advance its development and commercialization of zero-emission FCVs and EVs, which emit no CO2during driving and are effective in making large contributions to the environment.

Taking into consideration the energy situation and fuel infrastructure in various countries and regions, as well as consumer preferences and other factors in the market environment, Toyota is endeavoring to promote the widespread use of FCVs and EVs, while considering the appropriate roles for each, and is aiming for even greater reductions in CO2emissions.

However, the road to fuel diversification is not an easy one. Such cannot be achieved by automobiles alone. Essential is the existence of a supply infrastructure (fuel infrastructure) for new fuels that can allow peace of mind in the use of automobiles that run on new types of fuel. For energy companies, that means new investment. Support by governments and municipalities is also indispensable.

Also necessary is the understanding of society and our customers and their acceptance of new fuels. This is because new fuels are different in many ways―such as in terms of fueling locations, fueling times, fueling methods and fuel costs―from fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel, with which we are familiar after so many years of use. New fuels could also mean fueling that is not as convenient as that in the case of the cars our customers are using today. This means that 'diversification' must apply to not only fuels but to customer values, as well.

This is especially true when it comes to FCVs, which use hydrogen―a fuel with which people rarely come in contact in daily life. Because hydrogen can be produced from various primary energy sources, beyond its environmental benefits, it is seen as an important energy resource that will be used in the future as a way to heighten energy security. FCVs, which use electricity created through a chemical reaction involving hydrogen and which can be driven without emitting CO2, have high potential as a form of 'the ultimate eco-car'. Toyota has been developing FCVs for more than 20 years. But issues still exist. These include understanding of hydrogen on the part of society and our customers and the availability of hydrogen stations. Much time is still required for the widespread use of FCVs and the realization of a hydrogen society.

Aware of such, Toyota was quick to initiate an FCV commercialization project, resulting in the launch of the 'Mirai' FCV in Japan in 2014, followed by sales in the United States and Europe. Toyota has taken up the challenge.

This is just the beginning of what Toyota sees as a long-running challenge to make a hydrogen society a matter of fact and to make FCVs everyday vehicles.