As a global manufacturing company, we are acutely aware of our responsibility to the environment. Our commitment to build efficient and sustainable vehicles runs through the heart of Toyota, from our factories, import and distribution centres, through to our sales & marketing facilities. We go to great lengths to minimize the impact of our products on the environment throughout their entire lifecycle, to ensure a cleaner, greener, future for everyone.
Personal mobility is important at Toyota.
It keeps people connected - with their work, their family and friends, and their communities. Making and driving cars, however, has an impact on the environment. Which is why we go to great lengths to minimise this impact throughout the entire lifecycle of our vehicles. We call this our 360-degree approach and it focuses predominantly on sustainability in design, production, logistics, sales, service and - at the end of the vehicle's useful life - recycling.
Our ultimate goal is to completely eliminate emissions and waste across every part of our business, and create a true zero emissions vehicle.
Design
Toyota’s vehicles are created using our unique Life Cycle Assessment methodology, leading to some exciting developments. Important steps forward include lightweight engineering for maximum fuel efficiency, the use of recycled materials, and the development of eco-plastic, a world first.
The Prius – which is pioneering the use of eco-plastic – demonstrates the effectiveness of our methods with 95% of the car (including the battery), being recoverable, while 85% can be recycled.
Ecological Plastic - A world first
Toyota’s eco-plastic is the world’s first injection-moulded material to be derived from plants, meeting every safety criteria for vehicle interiors, including heat and shock resistance.
20% less CO2
Ecological plastic emits 20% less CO2 during a product’s life cycle. CO2, which is emitted at disposal, is captured during photosynthesis as the plant grows.
Ultimate Eco-Car
Toyota’s ambition to develop and build the ultimate eco-car, which emits zero harmful emissions and has no negative environmental impact, is at the forefront of our efforts. Our innate curiosity to engineering and design problems, paired with world-leading innovation and manufacturing standards will make this dream a reality, and today, we are already taking large steps forward with our Optimal Drive and Hybrid Synergy Technologies.
Towards the Ultimate Eco-Car
The ultimate eco-car emits no harmful emissions and has no negative impact on the environment.
If we pursue our efforts, we believe we will fulfill our ambition to create such a car. The vehicles that we make today, with their Toyota Optimal Drive and Hybrid Synergy Drive technologies, are all steps forward. But there is much more to do, and there is much more to come from Toyota.
Plug-in Hybrid
Our Plug-in Hybrid vehicles allow battery recharging from mains electrical supplies, boosting fuel efficiency, reducing running costs and lowering CO2 emissions particularly when electricity is supplied from renewable sources.
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Powered by an electric motor and battery, EVs are ideal for short inner city journeys. If renewable energy is used for charging, EVs are totally emissions free. Our electric iQ concept showcases this technology in a compact package.
Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV)
Fuel cells that create electricity by combining oxygen with hydrogen, power our FCVs, with minimal by-products of heat and water. Our FCHV-adv SUV utilizes this technology and sales are due to start in 2015.
