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Toyota Exec Says ICE Engine Will Never Be Abandoned

 
1,362 views Jan 23, 2010

Engine - 2007 Toyota Tacoma 2WD Reg I4 AT (Natl)

Engine - 2007 Toyota Tacoma 2WD Reg I4 AT (Natl)

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Nobody is suggesting that plug-in vehicles will take over the world anytime in the near future, but Toyota managing officer has gone a step further by insisting that the internal combustion engine will "never" be abandoned.

Koei Saga, the managing officer of Toyota told reporters at the NAIAS that electric vehicles are best suited for use as "very small commuter-type vehicles."  He went on to state that longer range electric vehicles are not in the near future unless several sacrifices are made.  Saga said, "If we forget about battery life and if we forget about the cost incurred for replacement batteries," then long range EVs would be possible.

When asked by reporters at the show about the future of gasoline vehicles, Saga responded, "In my personal view, I think we will never abandon the internal combustion engine."

Toyota as a company has focused primarily on hybrid technology.  Though they will offer EVs soon.  The focus on hybrids has led them to the top in this segment.  However, competition is slowly getting stronger and many automakers will release EVs in the next 2 years.

It's our belief that it is highly unlikely that plug-in vehicles will replace the ICE vehicle anytime soon, but some day the gasoline powered vehicle will meet its match and disappear into history.

Toyota's approach is spot on.  First comes the hybrid vehicle, then the plug-in hybrid, then the full blown EV.  This gradual method truly fits in with technological advancements, buyers concerns, and costs.  But the demise of the gasoline engine is one step that the company does not believe will occur.

Source:  New York Times





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Comments (9)

  1. By Desertstraw Posted: 1/23/2010 5:17am PST

    Toyota is the new GM. Too much success seems to make companies complacent.
    Toyota proved the viability of electric vehicles with the RAV4 Electric. Why they surrendered to Chevron and gave up on electric cars is unknown. Since they were the world leaders in electric vehicles a decade ago and financially capable of mounting a lawsuit, they could probably have stopped the outlawing of NiMH batteries for electric cars. Our constitution allows patents in order to encourage technical progress not to stop it.
    To argue against electric cars is like arguing against the tide. People all over the world are working on better batteries and other storage devices. A bet on ICEs is a bet that they will all fail. Within ten weeks, two companies, BYD and Ecolocap, have promised to make public major improvements in batteries. Even if they fail to deliver, somebody will.
     
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  2. By Chris O Posted: 1/23/2010 6:12am PST

    I'm with Desertstraw on this one. Lately there is a Tsunami of battery bashing reports and soundbites going on and Toyota seems to be in the forefront of this anti plug-in FUD campaign. They really are the new GM or maybe rather the incarnation of the old GM since Bob Lutz' recent announcement of a BEV version of the Volt. The ICE business is still good for Toyota and they have a comfortable lead in non plug-in hybrid technology so business as usual is their best strategy. Promoting hydrogen (the technology of the future that will always remain just that) and stalling plug-in development fits the pattern.
     
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  3. By Noel Park Posted: 1/23/2010 9:39am PST

    Well, I think that the ICE is going to be around for the rest of my life, if not all of ours. While I expect to see electric and maybe other technologies arise to compete strongly with the ICE, there will still be ICEs around for a good long time, IMHO. Even so, Toyota's PR objectives here are very difficult to understand, and do them no credit at all, IMHO.
     
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  4. By  kelly Posted: 1/23/2010 11:46am PST

    Build EV's. Let the public decide what's 'too expensive.' Maybe sending more trillions to oil harems is 'too expensive.'
     
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  5. By Jason M. Hendler Posted: 1/23/2010 12:19pm PST

    When fossil fuels become unfeasible, alcohol, biodeisel and hydrogen can and will still fuel internal combustion engines for those applications that require them.
     
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  6. By Luke Posted: 1/23/2010 6:41pm PST

    There are some tasks that ICE cars are just plain good at.
    So many people make the mistake of assuming that "we should all drive electric cars" or "we should all ride bikes" means "throw away your conventional car". No, it means "keep your conventional car and use it for the jobs that the alternatives can't do right now" -- like hauling heavy objects long distances on the Interstate. Driving something like a Nissan Leaf (sorry Toyota!) but keeping an old minivan around for jobs the Leaf can't do seems perfect!
     
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  7. By Frank Posted: 1/24/2010 6:23am PST

    Toyota is likely correct. Note though, just because the ICE remains does not mean it will run on a fossil fuel.
    As many mentioned ICE's have high continuous power as well as high power capability. They are robust, and use a very energy dense (liquid) fuel.
    If the demand for fuel drops to a point where bio fuels can meet the demand, as long as emissions equipment is in place (which it already is), the ICE can be much cleaner than an EV using electricity made from from coal.
    BTW, no one has yet proved the EV to be viable to a high volume manufacturer. The closest example to a vehicle the means customer needs is the Tesla and it has limited practicality with a very high price tag. NiMH is barely able to meet power and life span requirements ina PHEV, it has no chance in an EV.
     
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  8. By Desertstraw Posted: 1/24/2010 7:49am PST

    To Frank. You must be kidding, the Toyota RAV4 Electric has already disproved all your negative comments about the NiMH battery. Google it, I will not repeat the virtues of the NiMH battery that most readers know.
     
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  9. omnimoeish avatar omnimoeish Posted: 1/25/2010 10:20am PST

    Think of how much energy a garbage truck needs. I think it will be a long time before the ICE is dead.
     
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