Toyota's New CEO: Not Electric Vehicles For The Future, But Hydrogen

Toyota Mirai, Toyota's first hydrogen car. (Doc. Toyota)

JAKARTA - While almost all car manufacturers are focusing on battery electric vehicles (BEV), Toyota's new CEO, Koji Sato said that hydrogen will be the backbone of the Japanese brand in the future. He named the most appropriate hydrogen to achieve carbon neutrality.

His statement was made on March 18, but Sato did not ignore the BEV either. He also believes BEVs play an important role in Toyota's future including hybrid and hydrogen vehicles.

"We are making full efforts in all respects. It is important to remain flexible in order to adapt products and energy to different carbon neutral needs in different markets," he said as quoted from InsideEV, Monday, March 20.

In the statement, he also believed that hydrogen technology would become even more important in the future, as it could offer distinct advantages over battery-powered vehicles.

One of the main advantages of hydrogen vehicles, according to him, is a faster charging time, as well as a wider range. In addition, hydrogen vehicles do not require the same infrastructure as electric vehicles, which require extensive electrical charging and can be time-consuming.

Toyota has invested heavily in hydrogen technology over the past few years, launching Mirai in 2014 and introducing hydrogen trucks in 2017. With an increased focus on this technology, Toyota hopes to lead the hydrogen revolution and lead the world toward a brighter, clean, and more sustainable future.