Toyota Strengthens Initiatives for Low Carbon SocietyThursday June 12 11:36 AM"Since its foundation, Toyota has conducted its business based on the guiding principle of contributing to the development of a prosperous society through the manufacture of automobiles", said TMC President Katsuaki Watanabe, speaking at the Toyota Environmental Forum in Tokyo, where the action plan was unveiled. "Toyota seeks to combine the power of people and technology to help create a society that maintains a balance between corporate activities and environmental preservation." Specific TMC plans are described below. I. Research and Development Some of the environmental and energy issues surrounding automobiles include reducing CO2 emissions (global warming measures), supporting the use of non-petroleum based sources of energy and improving air quality. TMC aims to help achieve sustainable mobility by using hybrid technology as a core means to reduce oil consumption and promote the adaptation of vehicles to energy diversification. 1. Automobiles While adapting to energy diversification, TMC will develop vehicles that can simultaneously reduce CO2 emissions and make the air cleaner. It will commercialize such vehicles in line with the energy trends of each market based on its philosophy of introducing the right vehicle, at the right time, in the right place. 2. Packaging TMC is working on initiatives to reduce vehicle size and weight. The "iQ", which is planned for launch in 2008, offers revolutionary packaging?seating four people in a body less than three meters long. 3. Powertrains Average fuel efficiency for new Toyota vehicles sold in Japan rose by approximately 28% in the 10 years from 1997 to 2007. By the end of 2010 TMC will complete transition to a new series of highly efficient engines and transmissions.
- Gasoline Engines
- Diesel Engines
- Transmissions 4. Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid systems are a core Toyota technology that can contribute to cleaner emissions, lower CO2 emissions and increased fuel efficiency. TMC is actively working to popularize these systems by increasing the number of hybrid models among its vehicle series. Worldwide cumulative sales of the Prius reached 1 million units this past April and global cumulative sales of hybrid vehicles reached 1.5 million in June 2008. According to TMC's calculations, use of these vehicles has contributed to approximately 7 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions than would have otherwise been generated and has reduced gasoline consumption by approximately 2.7 million kiloliters[1].
- TMC's aim is to achieve hybrid vehicle sales of 1 million vehicles annually as early in the 2010s as possible and to strive for further popularization. 5. Alternative Fuel Vehicles - Flexible Fuel Vehicles[2]
- Bio-fuel Flexible Fuel Vehicles TMC will introduce the E85-compatible flexible-fuel Tundra and Sequoia in North America in 2008.
- Electricity (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles/Electric Vehicles) By 2010, TMC will introduce a plug-in hybrid vehicle equipped with a lithium-ion battery, geared toward fleet customers in Japan, United States and Europe. TMC plans to accelerate development of small electric vehicles for mass production.
- Battery R&D and Production Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd., a joint venture TMC established with the Matsushita Group that is conducting joint research on batteries for use in automobiles, will commence limited production of lithium-ion batteries in 2009, moving into full-scale production in 2010.
- Hydrogen (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle or FCHV) The TOYOTA FCHV-adv features a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, and, through the use of TMC-developed 70Mpa high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, has a single-fill-up cruising range of approximately 830 km (in the 10-15 Japan test cycle; 760 km in the JC08 test cycle; as measured by TMC), which is more than twice the cruising range of its predecessor, the TOYOTA FCHV. The TOYOTA FCHV-adv can be started and operated at ?30 degrees Celsius, greatly improving its cold weather performance. TMC is steadily overcoming the technological hurdles associated with fuel cell vehicles and will focus next on solving problems related to maintaining reliability and reducing costs.
- Alternative Fuel Supplies TMC is reinforcing its structure of survey-based global energy analysis by establishing energy research organizations in Japan and the United States. TMC is conducting research on a cellulosic ethanol that can both avert competition with food supplies and ensure a stable supply. The distinctive feature of TMC's research is the focus on using technologies that involve yeast. TMC is conducting joint research with Nippon Oil Corporation on high-concentration bio hydrofined diesel (also known as "BHD") as a bio-fuel alternative to petroleum-based diesel. So far, the research has led to vast improvement in the oxidative stability of BHD, enabling the fuel to perform on par with conventional diesel. TMC is conducting research on biomass-to-liquid (also known as "BTL"), which is derived from synthesizing gas made from all types of biomass, including cellulose.
- Infrastructure and Driver Support As one way to support environmentally considerate driving, TMC will increase the number of vehicle series equipped with the Eco Driving Indicator, which lights up when the vehicle is being operated in a fuel-efficient manner, and with the Eco Driving Mode Switch, which puts the vehicle in an energy conserving mode by monitoring and controlling such functions as gear-shift timing and air conditioner settings.
TMC is continuing to actively seek greater environmental responsiveness in its production and logistics through greater reduction of CO2 and further consolidation of environmental management. In addition to existing initiatives, TMC is also strengthening the global implementation of "sustainable plant" initiatives as another means of reducing CO2 emissions.
CO2 Emission Reduction Results and Targets for TMC Production
1. 2010 CO2 Emission Reduction Targets, Results and New Targets Region Worldwide[5] Emissions Volume per sales unit 2010 Target 20% reduction from 2001 2007 Results 32% reduction from 2001 New 2010 Target 35% reduction from 2001 Region TMC (Japan) Emissions Volume per sales unit 2010 Target 35% reduction from 1990 2007 Results 55% reduction from 1990 New 2010 Target 60% reduction from 1990 Region TMC (Japan) Emissions Volume 2010 Target 20% reduction from 1990 2007 Results 25% reduction from 1990 New 2010 Target 30% reduction from 1990"Sustainable Plant" Activities "Sustainable Plant" activities were begun in July 2007 with the aim of emphasizing the role of nature through the creation of production sites that are in harmony with their natural surroundings. TMC is implementing its "Sustainable Plant" activities with the following in mind:
1) Energy reduction through development and implementation of low carbon production technologies and through daily kaizen (improvement) activities 2. Model Plant Initiatives - Japan
Takaoka Plant
Tsutsumi Plant
Also, a project to paint the assembly plant's exterior walls with a photo-catalytic paint is planned for completion by around the summer of 2008. - Overseas
United States
Europe
Asia III. Social Contribution TMC promotes programs for the development of forestry, human resources and the local community in countries and regions throughout the world, believing that community-based initiatives are just as necessary for a sustainable level of environmental preservation as initiatives on the national or international level. TMC will continue to strengthen and enhance its contribution to environmental preservation by sharing the knowledge and experience gained with society at large so that the initiatives can be more widely implemented. Examples of Key Initiatives - In 1992 the "Forest of Toyota" initiative was launched in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. This initiative includes a number of activities, such as a hands-on nature experience program, forest improvement and maintenance, and research on satoyama (forests and wetlands near populated areas). - In the year ending March 2001, TMC launched the Toyota Environmental Activities Grant Program, a subsidy program that supports the environmental activities of non-profit private groups and other organizations. The core theme of the program is environmental technology and human resource development that contribute to environmental revitalization and conservation. As of the end of the 2007 fiscal year (in March 2008), TMC granted funding to a total of 140 grant projects, both in Japan and overseas. - In 2001, desertification prevention projects were begun as part of afforestation efforts in China, in areas affected by overgrazing and excessive cutting down of trees. In addition, TMC launched afforestation programs in 2007 to rejuvenate tropical forests in the Philippines, where forest degradation is a serious issue. - In 2005, TMC supported the establishment of the Center of Industrial Development and Environmental Governance within the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University in China. - The Toyota Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute in Shirakawa, Gifu Prefecture, which was established in 2005, offers hands-on programs so that people can experience and learn about nature and projects for conserving forests. - In addition, Toyota foundations and overseas affiliates throughout the world conduct initiatives in a number of areas, centered on providing grants.
[1] Based on TMC calculations About Toyota Motor Corporation
Established in 1937, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, has developed into one of the world's best known automobile manufacturers. The Toyota Group sold over 8.5 million vehicles under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu, and Hino brands in more than 170 countries and regions in fiscal 2007. Further, the Company's production is firmly rooted in local communities, with 52 companies manufacturing vehicles and parts in 26 countries and regions. Toyota had approximately 300,000 employees on a consolidated basis at the end of fiscal 2007. The company is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. For more information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html . Source: Toyota Motor Corporation Contact: Toyota Motor Corporation Corporate Communications Department/ Public Affairs Division Tel: +81-3-3817-9150 URL: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en Japan Corporate News Network. All rights reserved. |
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