Japan is moving in an unexpected direction with the development of Toyota’s new breed of engines. The surprising move comes amid a transport market that’s focused more on electric drivetrains than any other, which is why the industry has been somewhat taken by surprise by Toyota’s new investment direction. There’s no doubt that the Japanese powerhouse will put its best effort into the latest green fuel technology as the sustainable mobility market evolves to meet the demands of worldwide decarbonization efforts.
Japan unveiled a surprising plan for a new kind of ICE
Toyota’s announcement of its new class of green fuel engines emphasizes Japan’s goal to overtake America in the sustainable mobility market. While the United States focuses on electric vehicles (EVs), Japan may well end up forging a whole new path among fuel options. This new fuel product is being described as the “first ever green fuel,” and industry stakeholders are waiting to see if Toyota will enjoy success in its new development direction.
Could it be goodbye to EVS out of Japan? This is possible if Toyota’s new breed of internal combustion engine proves to be a winner, and even plug-in hybrid electric vehicles could be under threat due to the Asian country’s research and development efforts.
Which green fuels is Toyota planning to use in its new ICEs?
Hydrogen and bioethanol are two of the fuels that Toyota plans to burn in its new internal combustion engine type, which has been described as “an engine reborn.” The engines will be flexible in that a variety of different green fuels can be used.
Two of the benefits of Toyota’s new family of engines are their lightweight and compact nature. They will be used in tandem with electric motors in hybrid vehicles, where their efficiency has been proven. The engines will be ancillary to the electronic control module (eCM) and the electric motor will serve as the primary power unit (but not the only source, which is what makes the difference).
Toyota’s aim is to create clean, efficient solutions suited to the age of vehicle electrification and decarbonization, yet with the perfomance and experience that traditional ICEs have to offer.
Hydrogen is a particular focus for Toyota
As evidenced by Toyota’s development of its Corolla Sport H2 Concept race car and testing for improvement learnings, hydrogen technology is a priority for Toyota in the race to develop cleaner fuel options. The automaker is one of relatively few brands that are looking to hydrogen with this level of investment.
The turbocharged inline-3-cylinder engine from the GR Yaris that was specifically modified for Moto GP has been maintained in its same form but with the adjustments made to accommodate hydrogen. When burned, hydrogen on average combusts at a higher temperature and faster compared to gasoline.
A partnership between Toyota and Denso saw the development of standardized fuel injectors capable of atomizing hydrogen gas within the combustion chambers under pressure. Abnormal combustion is a significant shortcoming of hydrogen engines, but Toyota’s engine designs mitigate this by using heat-resistant components.
Biofuel development is also underway at Toyota
In addition to hydrogen, Toyota new engines will also be suitable for bioethanol fuels. The vehicle manufacturer is involved in collaborations that strive to foster the adoption of biofuels.
To achieve this in emerging markets on a large scale, Toyota has been working on biofuel-compatible cars for these markets while guaranteeing the infrastructure to support them. Toyota’s domestic partners, Subaru and Mazda, are also invested in Toyota’s “multi-pathway workshop.”
Despite the new direction of development, Toyota does not believe that batthery-electric vehicles should replace internal combustion engines around the world. Customers needs differ according to region and powertrain options are essential. The three Japanese brands hope to reach net-zero carbon emissions in the near future, and one of the ways it will achieve this is with clean versions of ICEs (which Mazda is working on laser technology for).
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