Toyota committed to offering ‘Sustainable and Practical’ mobility solutions in drive for carbon neutrality

This month, the first-ever United Nations
MENA Climate Week will be held today from 28 to 31 March in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,
which will bring together key stakeholders to take the pulse of climate action in the region,
discuss climate challenges, and explore opportunities. One of the companies at the forefront of
global efforts on climate action, particularly in achieving carbon neutrality within the mobility
sector, is Toyota. Long-recognized as a pioneer in the development of eco-friendly vehicles,
Toyota has adopted a multi-faceted approach that emphasizes ‘Sustainable and Practical’
solutions.
Kei Fujita, Chief Representative, Middle East and Central Asia Representative ‎Office,
Toyota Motor Corporation, says: “Carbon neutrality is a goal with many paths. At Toyota, we
understand that eco-friendly solutions can contribute to the environment only when their use
becomes widespread. There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer to today’s climate challenges, which
is why we focus on developing and implementing a diverse range of technologies.”
In 1997, Toyota launched the Prius, the world’s first mass-production Hybrid Electric Vehicle
(HEV). Today, the company has sold more than 19 million electrified vehicles 1 worldwide and
has invested in the development of a full range of innovative Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs),
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), and Fuel Cell
Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). Toyota’s commitment to pursuing electrification from all directions
comes as part of its strategy to respond flexibly to the global demand for diverse mobility
solutions.
Fujita explains: “We know the ways our customers use their vehicles vary from one person to
another. Drivers also have to contend with diverse road and climate conditions around the
world, from rough roads and desert environments to freezing cold climates and everything in-
between. Therefore, it is natural that what ‘Sustainable and Practical’ means varies from region
to region. If we look at powertrains, for instance, each type comes with its own strengths and
weaknesses.”
“To give an example, HEVs are the most practical solution in places with limited charging
infrastructure and can achieve around 25 km/L with no special equipment or changes to the
existing infrastructure. On the other hand, PHEVs offer a greater driving range in EV mode, but
charging infrastructure is needed. When it comes to zero emissions solutions, BEVs are better
suited to smaller vehicles and short-distance driving as they require a longer time to fully
recharge the battery, while FCEV can be more suitable to larger vehicles that cover longer distances. As you can see, there is no single best solution that works for all use cases in all
parts of the world; this is why we remain committed to developing various solutions to fulfill the
needs of different markets,” he adds.
Toyota’s sales of electrified vehicles currently represent 16% of total sales in the Middle East.
This percentage is increasing year on year, demonstrating a growing public awareness on the
benefits electrified vehicles offer in terms of efficiency, performance, and sustainability. The
company has the biggest line-up of electrified vehicles in the region, with a total of ten Hybrid
Electric models including the Corolla, Camry, C-HR, RAV4, Corolla Cross, and Highlander,
together with the Lexus ES, LS, NX, and RX.
According to Fujita: “Customer needs are not uniform throughout the world, and can even differ
among regions within individual countries. Toyota will continue to expand its lineup of electrified
vehicles on a global basis to meet the needs of each country. Over the three decades since the
launch of the Prius, we have accumulated data and steadily refined our technologies to develop
a wide range of products.”
In December 2021, Toyota announced its strategy for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The
company plans to launch 30 models in the passenger and commercial segments by 2030, and
aims to achieve 3.5 million annual global vehicle sales before the end of the decade.
With the launch of its ‘Environmental Challenge 2050’ roadmap in October 2015, Toyota
outlined its commitment to reducing the environmental impacts of manufacturing and driving
vehicles across the globe, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality throughout its operations.
The company has set a series of ambitious targets inspired by key United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), placing its current and future strategy firmly in alignment with the
MENA Climate Week event taking place this month in Dubai.
Fujita concludes: “Our adoption of ‘Sustainable and Practical’ solutions for diverse
circumstances around the world is exactly what the phrase ‘think globally, act locally’ means to
me. I sincerely believe this is the most effective way to reduce the amount of carbon emitted into
the atmosphere in the quickest time possible, a goal that is imperative if we are to safeguard our
planet for future generations. With this in mind, we remain committed to pursuing various
technology options including HEV, PHEV, BEV, and FCEV as we continue on our journey
towards ‘Creating Mobility For All’ and ‘Producing Happiness for All.’”