Tokyo, Japan — Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda believes that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle models will “play a role” in achieving carbon neutrality—so the OEM will continue to produce “next generation ICE models.”
“We will continue producing engines because they still play a role in achieving carbon neutrality,” Toyoda, former president and CEO of Toyota, told crowds during a press conference at the Tokyo Auto Salon in mid-January. “So let’s further hone our engine technology. Let’s start a project to do just that.”
Toyoda acknowledged that it may appear that Toyota is against the current trends toward electrification and minimizing emissions—but that is not that case, he added.
“Making engines may look like Toyota is turning back the clock on the trend[s]. But that is never the case. Engines are necessary for the future.”
He did not divulge further details on the project, though it has been previously said that Toyota is developing a hydrogen, water-cooled engine that emits no carbon emissions.
