"Carbon neutrality" is increasingly becoming the focus of attention of the whole society and the whole industry.
At the beginning of this year, the state wrote the goals of "carbon peaking" and "carbon neutrality" into the government work report. In October, the State Council officially issued the "Carbon Peak Action Plan by 2030", which proposed that the transportation sector should promote the low-carbon transformation of transportation tools and equipment. And actively expand the application of new energy and clean energy such as electric power, hydrogen energy, natural gas, and advanced bio-liquid fuels in the field of transportation.
At a time when the industry is accelerating towards the goal of "two carbons", how will Toyota Motor, as a leading enterprise, help China achieve "carbon neutrality"? How does Toyota think about achieving "carbon neutrality"? Kung Fu Auto is here today to have a taste with you.
(1) Accelerate the coverage of electrified models and contribute Toyota's strength to the Green Winter Olympics
In recent years, the electrification of the automotive industry has become a "cliché" topic. Whether it is the rise of new forces or the transformation of traditional car companies, although the way and path to achieve the goal are not the same, the goal is very consistent.
That is to create cars that consume less energy and reduce CO2 emissions as much as possible.
In this process, Toyota is often considered a "conservative". A large reason for this misunderstanding is that many people have "misjudged" Toyota's view of the electrification of the industry.
For Toyota, carbon neutrality means keeping choices open. Diverse solutions are needed to be the path to carbon neutrality.
In fact, Toyota is not only the first company in the industry to promote the electrification of automobiles, but also the company that has gone the farthest and deepest in all-round electrification. Because of this, Toyota is the most outstanding enterprise in the industry to achieve "carbon reduction", or even one of them.
As early as 1997, Toyota launched the world's first mass-produced hybrid model, the PRIUS Prius, and continued to introduce a full range of electrified models including HEV/PHEV/EV/FCEV.
Up to now, Toyota's global HEV sales have exceeded 18 million. However, its battery usage is equivalent to about 260,000 EVs, and the CO2 emission reduction effect is equivalent to about 5.5 million EV.
It should be known that EV batteries will have a greater burden on the environment in the production, manufacturing and even back-end recycling links. The spread of HEVs and other electrification technologies allows Toyota to achieve the same excellent carbon reduction effect without using fewer batteries.
It is also worth noting that entering 2021, Toyota's efforts to electrify all aspects have not stopped, but have progressed more and more rapidly.
In April this year, at the Shanghai International Auto Show, Toyota TOYOTA bZ pure electric exclusive series debuted in the world, and in October after that, it announced the detailed product information of the first model bZ4X, and announced that it would be launched in China and other markets in mid-2022, showing Toyota's strong determination to "add weight" to the EV.
By 2025, Toyota will introduce 35 different types of electrified models, and the proportion of electrified models will reach 50%. Among them, 5 of the 7 models of the bZ series will be imported into China.
In addition, in order to accelerate the popularization and promotion of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), since last year, Toyota has also continued to expand its "circle of friends". Actively through the localization of hydrogen fuel cells research and development and production, to contribute to China's carbon neutrality.
It is particularly noteworthy that at the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to be officially held in February next year, Toyota will also invest in large-scale FCEVs in China for the first time to launch FCEVs such as "second-generation MIRAI" and "Costa Hydrogen Engine". About 200 Beiqi Foton hydrogen fuel cell buses using Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell system will also be put into use at the Beijing Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympic Games.
According to the official statistics of the Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee, among the transportation service vehicles used in the Winter Olympic Games, energy-saving and clean energy vehicles accounted for 100% of the passenger cars and 85.84% of all vehicles, which was the highest in the previous Winter Olympics. It can be said that in this "Green Winter Olympics", Toyota has contributed a very important force.
In the eyes of Kung Fu Motors, this series of moves all prove that Toyota's "carbon reduction" action has actually been pragmatic and continuous. More critically, Toyota is not immersed in its own efforts, but through the alliance of local enterprises, with an open and cooperative mentality, to help China's "carbon neutral" cause to promote.
Using all existing limited means to maximize cooperation with partners is Toyota's pragmatic "methodology" for achieving carbon neutrality.
(2) Emphasize the carbon neutrality of the whole life cycle and highlight the "big pattern" of the head car companies
As the saying goes, vision determines height, and height determines pattern.
In the process of Toyota's efforts to help China achieve "carbon neutrality", the "big pattern" displayed by this multinational head car company is also significantly different from that of ordinary car companies.
For example, when the industry is only focusing too much on the carbon emissions generated by the use of cars, Toyota has put forward the concept of "carbon neutrality throughout the life cycle" one step ahead of others.
Toyota understands that carbon neutrality cannot be achieved by technological advances in vehicles alone. Instead, we should pay full attention to the carbon emissions of the "whole life cycle" of vehicle production, manufacturing, sales, use, recycling, etc.
In the field of hydrogen fuel cell technology, Toyota hopes to accelerate local consumption by expanding the production of hydrogen energy derived from renewable energy production, improving the storage performance of hydrogen storage tanks, and innovating the manufacturing technology of hydrogen storage tanks, and reducing the carbon emissions of hydrogen fuel in the production, storage, use, and even recycling and disposal processes.
Toyota has also increased the range of EVs by installing solar panels on vehicles. By performing "deterioration diagnosis" on the battery replaced by 4S, the battery is recycled to varying degrees. By building a "battery material recycling" system, we will minimize the environmental impact caused by battery production and use.
Not only that, Toyota also has a perfect full-life cycle thinking and a comprehensive electric technology in heV, PHEV and other models.
It is not difficult to find that the "carbon neutrality" advocated by Toyota is an all-round and all-dimensional "carbon neutrality". This broad vision and high field of vision are the advantages of Toyota helping China achieve "carbon neutrality".
If it is said that pragmatically and continuously promoting all-round electrification is the basis for Toyota to achieve "carbon neutrality", then advocating "full life cycle" carbon neutrality is the "big pattern" of Toyota Motor.
In the process of Toyota's continuous upward movement, the "big pattern" displayed is undoubtedly the key to distinguishing it from other companies, showing social responsibility and achieving the original intention of "mass production happiness".
(3) Kung Fu shooting
There is Toyota that emphasizes the "whole life cycle" carbon neutrality and the big pattern; there is also Toyota that continues to promote all-round electrification, openness and inclusiveness, and pragmatic innovation.
Toyota's unique "carbon neutrality" path not only plays a strong leading role in the transformation of the automobile industry, but also brings profound significance to the global and Chinese environmental protection.
Through technological advances and the spread of renewable energy, Toyota is bringing more low-carbon mobility options to domestic consumers.