Toyota: FCHV―Technology for the Right Car for the Right Place at the Right Time

摘要

While demand for a supply of energy is expected to keep growing, regulations on emissions, including CO_2 are likely to be amended further from around 2010. The 21st century is a time when engines―not only clean but also highly efficient―are being sought for. Toyota Motor Corporation, taking advantage of its strength as a full-line producer, has been taking a wide range of approaches to reducing CO_2 emissions; introducing the stratified charge engine D4, adding various refinements to conventional internal combustion engines, and marketing hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. Particularly, Prius, the first hybrid vehicle in the world was introduced to the market in late 1997, and has already sold about 70,000 units; the automaker has just began to market hybrid versions of Estima and Crown. Toyota, however, recognizes that whether the development of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) will succeed will soon determine the future of the global environment and automakers, and on the basis of such recognition, Toyota is firmly pushing ahead with research and development.