Eco-cars

Toyota has long been aware of the relationship between vehicle exhaust emissions and carbon dioxide and global warming and urban air pollution. In response, Toyota launched the revolutionary Toyota D-CAT (Diesel Clean Advanced Technologies) concept, which takes emission levels well below Euro IV standards for diesel engines.

The Eco car
Toyota is proud to have pioneered hybrid (petrol/electric) technology to produce the world’s first mass produced eco-vehicle – the Toyota Prius. The Prius offers Toyota’s innovative Hybrid Synergy Drive, which seamlessly integrates all aspects of the Toyota Hybrid System, from the optimum mix of electric motor and petrol engine to electricity regeneration through the braking system.

Hybrid Synergy Drive enables a vehicle to run, from an emissions point of view, under the most efficient mode, petrol and/or electric. Its greatest benefit for the environment is the generation of up to 89% fewer tailpipe pollutants than conventional internal combustion engines, and 2.5 times the average fuel efficiency of conventional vehicles. Toyota plans to introduce Hybrid Synergy Drive into more of its vehicle products.

Cleaner, Fuel-Efficient Engines
Toyota’s Research and Development division has contributed to a range of other breakthroughs in engine technology to reduce fuel consumption and emissions levels. Variable Valve Timing-intelligent (VVT-i) engines are just one advance that now features in most Toyota and Lexus models, continuously changing the opening and closing timing of the intake valve to match operating conditions. Other examples of improved-efficiency engine technologies are the Direct-Injection (D4) petrol and Direct-Injection common rail diesel (D-4D) engines, that both deliver excellent vehicle performance and contribute actively to lowering emissions.

Next generation fuel cells
As well as constantly improving existing engine technologies, Toyota has been developing the potential of fuel cell technology since 1992. As a result, Toyota was the first manufacturer to market fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHV) in Japan and the US in late 2002, and is now leader in this emerging field.

• Eco-cars
• Fuel cell vehicles
• End of life vehicles