Toyota Aims to Phase Out Regular Gasoline Vehicles by 2050
Toyota is looking forward to a future where no vehicles in its lineup are powered by just a standard gasoline engine.
As one of the first automakers to invest heavily into hybrid technology with the introduction of the Prius nearly 20 years ago, Toyota is now moving forward with its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle with the Mirai. By 2050, Toyota aims to sell hardly any regular gasoline vehicles, if at all, filling its lineup with just hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. That means within 35 years, Toyota will reduce average emissions from its entire lineup by 90 percent compared to 2010 levels.
Interestingly enough, Toyota said that electric cars aren’t part of its vision, a contrast from competitors like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Bolt.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Toyota Mirai Review
The Japanese automaker currently projects that it will sell more than 30,000 fuel cell vehicles by 2020, which is 10 times its projected figure for 2017. Hybrid vehicle sales will reach the 1.5-million annual mark with Toyota aiming to sell 15-million hybrids by 2020 – that’s nearly twice as many as what’s sold so far globally.
As for why it’s avoiding electric vehicles, Toyota believes they take too long to recharge.
The company’s announcement comes during a time that diesel engines are under scrutiny after Volkswagen admitted to cheating on EPA diesel emissions tests.
[Source: Associated Press]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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"As for why its avoiding electric vehicles, Toyota believes they take too long to recharge." A blanket statement if you ask me. Charging technology is getting better and we could see charge times in full in 15 minutes one day.