Toyota: What is the ultimate goal of electrification?

Wen | Huang Zhi

In the current automobile industry, everyone knows that electrification must be the future trend, but what is the ultimate goal of electrification?

After all, when the Shanghai Auto Show in 221 was dubbed the Shanghai Electric Auto Show, Tesla grabbed the headlines in its own unique way, and a number of technology companies were eager to try out the automobile industry. On the eve of the auto show of the German Big Three, electric vehicles were the main characters ... In terms of the high profile of electric vehicles, Toyota actually didn't rank high.

however, at this auto show, Toyota unveiled the first concept car "TOYOTA bZ4X Concept" of its brand-new pure electric exclusive series "Toyota BZ".

in p>225, around bZ series and its joint venture with BYD, Toyota will launch 5 EV models in China market, bringing the number of EV products to 1.

Therefore, in the media communication meeting after the auto show, the media focused on the change of Toyota and its attitude towards electrification, and threw all the questions to five Toyota leaders of China-Japan connection: Maeda Masahiko (CTO of Toyota Motor Corporation), Toyoda Koji (Chief Engineer, copy minister of ZEV Factory of Toyota Motor Corporation), Ueda Dalang (head of Toyota Motor Corporation in China, chairman and general manager of Toyota China), and Nakao.

In fact, on the circular screen over the Toyota booth, the slogan is "All-round electrification technology", and Toyota does not lack the technology to transform into electrification. Since the first generation Prius went on the market in 1997, more than 17 million Toyota electric models have been on the road.

it seems to be separated, but it is not. Because what Toyota is thinking about is what electrification is for?

perhaps for most ordinary consumers, electric vehicles mean unlimited purchase, low use cost, more intelligent and represent the future. But in fact, Toyota has never taken how many electric vehicles it sells as a goal, but "makes the negative impact of cars infinitely close to zero" and "brings positive energy to society". Electrification is just a means and process to achieve this ultimate goal.

Just like a sentence repeatedly mentioned by Masahiko Maeda and Koji Toyoda in interviews: "Only when environmental protection technology is popularized can it really contribute to the environment."

on the roads in Japan, Toyota's hybrid vehicles spend 5%-7% of the time, and plug-in hybrid vehicles spend 8% of the time driving as an EV. Perhaps their life cycle has no more pressure and impact on the environment than a pure electric vehicle that cannot be fully used.

Akio Toyoda once said that anyone can make a car, but once he starts to make a car, he should realize that he should be prepared for all kinds of changes in the next 4 years.

compared with how many pure electric vehicles will be sold in next month's monthly sales report, Toyota has always been concerned about how cars will be more environmentally friendly for a longer period of time.

Three Clear Measures for Carbon Neutralization

In the interview, Takashi Ueda elaborated on Toyota's long-term plan to promote carbon emission reduction and carbon neutrality in China, including three major measures: expanding the lineup of electric vehicles, promoting zero carbon dioxide emissions, and opening cooperation with China enterprises.

specifically, first of all, it is to accelerate the popularization of electric vehicles and realize the double growth of the proportion of electric vehicle sales and the overall sales.

in 225, Toyota will introduce more than 3 new electric models, including 1 EV models, into the China market. BZ pure electric exclusive series will launch 7 models, of which 5 models that meet the market demand in China will be imported; The sales of electric vehicles accounted for 5%, and the sales growth rate reached 5% compared with 22.

From automobile manufacturing to sales, use and recycling, Toyota will also contribute to zero carbon dioxide emissions from the perspective of the whole life cycle.

For example, in production and R&D, waste is reduced and green electricity is used. Ueda Dalang said, "In 22, the carbon dioxide emission in the bicycle production process in the factory will be reduced by 46% compared with that in 26, and the waste generated will be reduced by 88%."

in addition, Toyota will promote the use of green power from the core cities, and finally popularize green power in 1,5 dealerships. At the same time, we will develop the recycling of used batteries and continue the tree planting activities that began in 21.

Toyota cooperates with China enterprises in the field of fuel cells

Finally, it cooperates with China enterprises with a more open attitude.

tatsuro Ueda said: "To achieve carbon neutrality, it is impossible to rely on only one enterprise, so we want to work together with like-minded partners to achieve this goal."

specifically, it includes: exporting hybrid and FC hydrogen fuel cell systems, realizing 1% local production of core components of electric vehicles, and accelerating the layout and cooperation of hydrogen energy industry.

it can be found that in Toyota's planning, electrification itself is not a separate goal, but a great desire to serve carbon neutrality. This road is not easy, even far more complicated and challenging than buying an electric car itself.

"Right time, right place, right car"

As early as 1996, Toyota once produced the EV model of RAV4, but in fact, no one asked for it.

even in 221, the problems surrounding electric vehicles, such as energy replenishment, battery life and battery decay in winter, are still the biggest problems that plague electric vehicle consumers.

Tesla Model 3, which can be the best-selling model in Shanghai, may only have double-digit monthly sales in the central and western provinces of China, and the use of electric vehicles is still greatly restricted by the objective environment.

when talking about the experience summarized in the past communication with customers, Maeda said: "consumers attach great importance to the practicality of vehicles when choosing cars, and the history of Toyota's electrification development also confirms this. From the earliest hybrid power to the new needs of different customers in different regions, various models and electrification technologies have been derived, and now it has become a manufacturer of all-round electrification technology. "

This means that if we want to promote the development of electric vehicles and make consumers willing to choose and use them diligently, then we must combine the local demand and energy structure to launch vehicles that consumers like at the right time, which is a principle mentioned by Koji Toyoda: "Timely, suitable place and suitable vehicle."

Toyota began to introduce electric vehicles to China in the early 21st century. Up to now, the cumulative sales volume has exceeded 1.2 million vehicles, 9% of which were basically sold in these five years.

The high demand of China consumers for electric vehicles, especially pure electric vehicles, also gives Toyota the confidence to accelerate the introduction of pure electric products in China.

TOYOTA bZ4X CONCEPT is the world's first launch

No matter whether Toyota will launch electric vehicles in China in the future or cooperate with China enterprises such as BYD and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited, it will release an obvious signal to the outside world: Toyota needs China, and China is also changing Toyota.

koji Toyoda mentioned that China consumers probably know the most about EV models among consumers all over the world, so they also have the most opinions and suggestions. Therefore, in the development process, Toyota gives top priority to the needs and opinions of consumers in China, while learning from consumers in China, while developing vehicles.

In fact, this change of Toyota has already appeared from the launch of Lingshang/Asian Lion. It can even be boldly speculated that more electrification models based on local research and development may be put on the China market in the future. And BYD will certainly play a very important role.

Maeda said: "BYD has an advantage over us in understanding the needs of consumers in China, and we have also learned a lot from BYD in the process of actual production and development."

and the choice of battery, Toyota.