Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino
TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) recently hosted its first-ever Toyota Hybrid Electric Technology Conference in the country. Themed as “Toward Sustainable Mobility,” the forum presented the company’s various environmental initiatives, as well as the substantial factors of using Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), which is currently the most suitable electric vehicle platform for the local market today, according to Toyota.
Gracing the event as presenters were TMP Vice Chairman Dr. David Go, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Executive Vice President Vince Socco, Toyota Daihatsu Engineering and Manufacturing Vice President Mr. Yukio Yoshida, TMP President Satoru Suzuki, DTI Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Rafaelita Aldaba and Clean Air Asia Deputy Director Atty. Glynda Bathan-Baterina.
“This conference aims to present a broader perspective for everyone, and shed light on topics that are often misunderstood by the public. As we face rapid changes in the global automotive landscape, there is mounting pressure for manufacturers to be more conscious on the ripple effect of their decisions when it comes to environment, natural resources and energy conservation,” said Go.
Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050
Introduced in 2015, Toyota’s ultimate goal is to go beyond zero carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions. Committed to deliver sustainable mobility for all, Toyota focuses on addressing several environmental challenges into the next two to three decades. It was in 1992 when its environmental philosophy was formulated as the “Toyota Earth Charter” and identified environmental issues as a priority. “Although we are proud to be a pioneer of environmental technologies, we are convinced that there is still much more we can achieve through our own efforts but, more importantly, in partnership with all of you—government, academia, the media and business partners,” said Socco.
With six challenges identified, the initial three aim to reduce CO2 emissions to zero. This is by focusing on electrification, adoption of green technologies and processes throughout the life cycle and production of every Toyota vehicle manufactured. Then, the succeeding three challenges aim to realize a net positive impact on the environment by focusing on other key environmental risks areas such as water, waste management and the sustainable coexistence of man with nature. In the process, the 2030 interim milestone was also introduced.
In essence, 90 percent is the targeted CO2 emissions reduction from new vehicles by 2050, and in the interim, the goal is 35-percent reduction by 2030. This translates to an annual global sales target of 5.5 million electrified vehicles, which include 1 million zero-emission vehicles by the end of the next decade. Since the launch of the Prius HEV in 1997, cumulative sales of Toyota electric vehicles already crossed 13 million units. This greatly contributed to CO2 emission reduction of 103 million tons globally and 38 million kiloliters of gasoline. Apart from CO2 emissions reduction from its vehicles, Toyota also extends its initiatives toward logistics management, production plants (its lighting, air-conditioning and electricity source) plus minimizing and optimizing water utilization.
Here, TMP will initiate the first three challenges by adapting Toyota’s global electrification strategy starting with HEV, reduce carbon footprint of production/distribution chain and utilize 100-percent renewable energy in plant operations. As for the succeeding challenges, TMP will implement resource conservation, management activities, and biodiversity management through tree planting and revegetation projects.
Why Hybrid Electric Vehicles?
While developed countries gear up for full electrification of vehicles in the next decade, TMP believes that HEV would be the ideal first step toward vehicle electrification in the Philippines. “Toyota has a whole range of electrified vehicle (xEV) technology that can help achieve sustainable mobility goals. But xEV popularization depends on many factors and varies by market. Based on current Philippine conditions, it is most appropriate to start with HEV popularization in order to accelerate the reduction of emissions and fuel consumption,” Suzuki explained.
Considering the country’s current state in vehicle electrification program, limited charging infrastructure, other requirements and cost, among others, HEV is deemed as the more practical and viable option for the Filipinos. For one, it’s widely known to be more fuel efficient than traditional petrol engines. Next, apart from HEV being readily available, its self-charging capability requires no additional infrastructure. So HEV owners would not have to worry about electric charging and how much range the car could travel. More important, HEV can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emission by 50 percent (based on internal Toyota demonstration tests and assessment).
How HEV works is that, at full stop, the engine is not running. Then when the vehicle starts moving (up to cruising speed), it is driven only by electric motor. It is only when high power is required or during acceleration that both engine and electric motor operates together to deliver. Also, under constant speed condition, both engine and motor will be optimally used. When there is surplus engine power supply, it also generates electricity to charge the battery. On the other hand, during deceleration or braking, energy is recovered through regenerative braking system and, in turn, charges the battery.
The current generation Prius boasts a fuel efficiency of 40.8 km/L (in JC08 test mode), which is 25 percent better compared to its predecessor. According to Yoshida, the use of energy sources should truly match the energy situation in each country. “We need to consider all encompassing approach to products, technology and social infrastructure,” he added. TMP’s stance on hybrid electric technology is strongly supported by the environmental philosophy of the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050. TMP has also lined up special projects in order to raise public awareness on HEVs such as educational campus tours in top engineering schools in the country.
TMP was the first automotive brand to make Hybrid Electric Vehicles locally accessible in the Philippines with the introduction of the second-generation Prius in 2009. Currently, TMP offers two hybrid models in its Toyota vehicle lineup—the Prius and Prius C; and six hybrid models under the Lexus brand—GS 450h, NX 300h, RX 450h, CT 200h, CT 200h F Sport, LS 500h.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino