Among the drivers in the recent IDEMITSU 1500 Super Endurance 2022 race, one would have found a very special participant - bearing the driver name "Morizo" - behind the wheel of a very special GR Corolla.
On 17 and 18 December 2022, none other than the CEO and President of Toyota Motor Corporation - Akio Toyoda himself - took to the Chang International Circuit for the first and last few hours of the Thailand 25H Endurance race. His weapon of choice? A unique hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine vehicle (HiCEV), known as the ORC Rookie GR Corolla H2 Concept.
Although still in their nascence, Toyota hopes to bring HiCEVs to the mass market in the future Beyond the presence of its esteemed guest, the IDEMITSU 1500 Super Endurance 2022 was significant as the first race outside of Japan to showcase the still-nascent technology. Gracing the event too was the ORC Rookie GR86 CNF Concept, a carbon-neutral fuel vehicle.
Toyota, as the leader in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), is embarking on a rather unique path that still gives customers a variety of powertrains in a future that will nonetheless be thoroughly green.
Apart from said HEVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have all been specifically outlined in its 'Multiple Pathway'-approach. It is expecting to also add HiCEVs and vehicles powered by bio-fuels into the mix further down the line.
Also at the race was the ORC ROOKIE GR86 CNF Concept, a carbon-neutral fuel vehicle If the decision not to go fully-electric (or rely solely on BEVs) - as many other carmakers have declared - is puzzling, Toyota has a good explanation as to why.
Rather than wait for enablers such as infrastructure and affordability to mature, the marque believes that the range of powertrains it continues to provide will open consumers up to greener options that currently already make sense for them.
This is especially applicable to Asia, where influencing factors - including usage conditions, purchasing power and societal contexts - fluctuate depending on where one looks. The ultimate goal is for decarbonisation to start immediately.
In view of these beliefs, Toyota emphasised at the race the need for diverse choices to be availed, in order to "achieve carbon neutrality and mobility for all at speed and scale". The company also reiterated its hope that HiCEVs like the ORC Rookie GR Corolla H2 Concept will soon concretise as another viable pathway alongside full EVs.
On 17 and 18 December 2022, none other than the CEO and President of Toyota Motor Corporation - Akio Toyoda himself - took to the Chang International Circuit for the first and last few hours of the Thailand 25H Endurance race. His weapon of choice? A unique hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine vehicle (HiCEV), known as the ORC Rookie GR Corolla H2 Concept.
Toyota, as the leader in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), is embarking on a rather unique path that still gives customers a variety of powertrains in a future that will nonetheless be thoroughly green.
Apart from said HEVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have all been specifically outlined in its 'Multiple Pathway'-approach. It is expecting to also add HiCEVs and vehicles powered by bio-fuels into the mix further down the line.
Rather than wait for enablers such as infrastructure and affordability to mature, the marque believes that the range of powertrains it continues to provide will open consumers up to greener options that currently already make sense for them.
This is especially applicable to Asia, where influencing factors - including usage conditions, purchasing power and societal contexts - fluctuate depending on where one looks. The ultimate goal is for decarbonisation to start immediately.
In view of these beliefs, Toyota emphasised at the race the need for diverse choices to be availed, in order to "achieve carbon neutrality and mobility for all at speed and scale". The company also reiterated its hope that HiCEVs like the ORC Rookie GR Corolla H2 Concept will soon concretise as another viable pathway alongside full EVs.
