So, we all know how important sustainability and protecting the environment is, especially in tech, since more and more brands are becoming more environmentally conscious.
As seen in my previous video, brands like TCL are going green with their green display technology, and smartphone brands like Samsung are going all out with creating their smartphones, their smartwatches, and even their tablets using recyclable fishing nets.
And now, it’s just not only tech consumable brands because Toyota is joining the sustainability movement, and I got to witness first hand during their Beyond Zero on-ground campaign here in Malaysia.
Toyota’s Commitment
So, you might be asking, “Why Toyota, and what’s their deal with sustainability?”
Just like other tech giants, Toyota is taking on a big challenge, and guess who is their common enemy? Carbon!
When I checked out their event, they had over 20 cars on display, but the real highlight is that Toyota shared their “battle plan” against carbon. And with that, they’re just not using one approach but instead they have THREE different techs up their sleeve or “seats” in their cars right now.
So, we are talking Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV).
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)
First up, let’s talk about Toyota’s Hybrid Electric Vehicles. At the exhibition, Toyota’s got models that are more familiar in the market but on a hybrid level where it’s available in various vehicle segments like the Toyota Alphard HEV and the Toyota Vellfire HEV to sedans like the Toyota Camry HEV.
Now, this separates Toyota from most brands that only focus on a specific vehicle segment in the BEV category. So, the main goal with this car is to make a positive impact on the environment by cutting down on emissions and saving fuel. And HEVs are great because they help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases, making them a super eco-friendly choice for getting around.
Plus, right here in Malaysia, hybrid cars are a smart pick for a widespread electrification and cutting down carbon emissions for everyone. And I strongly suggest for anybody who is considering going green with your vehicle to get an HEV first since it is a combination of both electric and petrol. And I’ve gotten the pleasure to test drive the Toyota Camry HEV, and the torque and the handling on this particular vehicle was really great as expected.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV)
Then there’s the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV). So, FCEVs are unique because they go a lot further on a single charge compared to BEVs. And here’s the best part, instead of typically using power for an electric source, they use hydrogen that is combined with oxygen from the air that generates electricity to power up the car and emits water.
Yep, just water.
There was even a hydrogen fuel system over there, and it looks super cool as you can see. And what is also lovely is the fact that they refuel super fast, and this makes them perfect for long trips since you won’t be stuck waiting for ages for them to charge.
So, not only are FCEVs offering a super clean way to get around, but they’re doing it in a very unique and sustainable way.
During the event, there were three main FCEV vehicles that I got to experience like the Toyota Mirai and the light-duty truck, which I would love to test drive this light-duty truck but unfortunately, I do not have the license to.
And then there was a bus which is called Sora, which is also an FCEV vehicle as well. And no, I didn’t get to test drive that too. I should probably look at getting a license for that.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)
Next, let’s talk about the Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV).
Now, if you’re not too familiar with BEVs and how they’re different, well, BEV runs entirely on electricity that’s stored in the batteries within the car. This makes them the smart choice for daily commute and moving around the city center.
At the exhibition, there were vehicles like the Toyota Hilux BEV Concept, the luxurious Lexus RZ, the very cute C+Pod, and my personal favorite in this segment is the bZ4X, which I also got the privilege to test drive too. And I absolutely love my experience driving it, and the regenerative braking on this was hands down the best that I’ve ever driven compared to other BEVs in the market that has a range up to 440km!
Beyond Zero
So, those are the ways that Toyota is planning to fight carbon emissions, and it’s fantastic to know that a huge car brand like Toyota is doing very well with this Beyond Zero campaign where Toyota has implemented all of these technologies mentioned in this particular video to cater for various needs for any kind of versatile situations.
For more info on Toyota’s Beyond Zero Campaign, head to the link below
https://www.toyota.com.my/en/discover-toyota/press-room/beyond-zero.html
