Toyota’s Chairman, Akio Toyoda, recently made some interesting comments at the Tokyo Auto Salon late last month – Toyota reaffirming a decision to develop new internal combustion engines as it sees battery electric vehicle sales limited regardless of technical advances. Mr. Toyoda reiterated his company’s ‘multi- pathway’ approach to new vehicle technology, which sees a mix of battery- electric, hybrid-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. “Battery electric vehicles do not represent the only way to achieve carbon neutrality.” he added. Mr. Toyoda also said the car maker had to assess the ’energy status’ of customers around the world. That assessment has concluded that battery electric vehicles will only make up approximately 30 percent of sales” Mr. Toyoda’s view however is in contrast to most other car makers who have moved their investments away from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains.

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