By Claire O'Hare, Published June 1, 2024
A major competitor of Tesla has introduced a plan for a new internal combustion engine, potentially intensifying competition in the electric vehicle market.
Toyota’s chief executive Koji Sato explained, “In an era when the development of battery electric vehicle technology is accelerating, there is a new role we can pursue for the internal combustion engine as well.”
Last year, Elon Musk said Chinese car companies were the “most competitive” and “will have significant success outside of China, depending on what kind of tariffs or trade barriers are established.”
Chinese manufacturer BYD is currently the world’s number one electric vehicle producer, surpassing Telsa in 2023.companies in the world. They’re extremely good.”
Musk said, “If there are no trade barriers established, they will pretty much demolish most other car companies in the world. They’re extremely good.”
Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru executives have expressed commitment to investing in fuel-based engines, opting to prioritize traditional technology over transitioning to electric vehicles.
Sato explained how engines will be designed to be used alongside hybrid vehicles.
Toyota’s chief technology officer, Hiroki Nakajima, also responded, “Both the batteries for electric vehicles and international combustion engines are important.”
Toyota’s approach of diversifying technologies aligns with their strategy, as noted by auto analyst James Hong. The company focuses on creating compact engines for hybrids that can seamlessly integrate into their upcoming vehicle designs without major alterations.
Toyota has also introduced plans for a new internal combustion engine that runs on green fuels like hydrogen and bioethanol, or in hybrids with electric motors. This move by Toyota aligns with the global push for carbon neutrality. This new development comes in contrast to company moving towards fully electric vehicles in the industry..
Toyota aims to optimize the engine under Chief Executive Koji Sato’s leadership. “Each company wants to win, but we can be faster if we work together,” said Sato. Specific details regarding the market debut of these engines remain undisclosed.
Mazda also revealed plans to adapt its iconic rotary engine for electric vehicles after over 50 years. Subaru’s Chief Technology Officer mentions ongoing work on an electrified Subaru model without abandoning the conventional engine.
Toyota is advancing hybrid technology with plans to shift towards electric motors as the primary driving force in future models, reducing the role of the traditional engine for a greener drive.
Collaborating with Subaru Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp., they aim to meet strict emissions standards with eco-friendly engines.
Toyota emphasizes the economic and social implications, highlighting the challenge of abruptly transitioning to fully electric vehicles due to the significant impact on the Japanese automotive supply chain and the associated jobs.