Toyota believes in the future of the internal combustion engine?

In a world that seems to be getting ever greener, Toyota is strikingly choosing its own path by sticking to the internal combustion engine. The company is not only staying true to internal combustion engines, but is even actively innovating them. Is this a thoughtful choice by Toyota or are they putting themselves out of position as one of the market leaders?

A steadfast choice by Toyota

The well-known carmaker continues to invest firmly in the development of internal combustion engines. In the Netherlands, only one electric model, the bZ4X, is in Toyota's showroom, making it clear that the company has yet to fully embrace electrification. Moreover, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda predicts that EVs will never account for more than 30% of the car market. Might Toyota's focus on both hybrid technologies and internal combustion engines perhaps give a more realistic picture of their future plans vis-à-vis the competition?

Innovative collaboration for cleaner combustion

Toyota has recently teamed up with Mazda and Subaru to launch a project to develop a new type of internal combustion engine. These engines are designed to emit less CO2 and can also run on alternative fuels such as hydrogen and biofuels. Also within this project is a new technique where the internal combustion engine itself can extract CO2 from the air! This technique uses the heat produced by the engine itself to convert CO2 into a liquid, all without using extra energy.

What do you think?

Toyota's strategy raises interesting questions about the future of the automotive industry. Is the chosen approach a smart way to remain flexible in a rapidly changing market? Or is it a risky backlash against the inevitable rise of electric vehicles? Do you think Toyota's commitment to the internal combustion engine is still valuable in the age of climate change, or should the company shift more quickly to full electrification?"