Toyota sees future for e-fuels and hydrogen

In an interview with Automotive News, Toyota chief scientist Gill Pratt considers that electric cars will not be able to meet all needs. It will be one of the solutions coexisting alongside cars that run on e-fuels and hydrogen.

To start with, a figure. Gill Pratt reveals that an electric vehicle uses as much material to develop the battery as the equivalent of six plug-in hybrids or ninety hybrid models. This is Toyota’s 1-6-90 rule. Gill Pratt predicts that in the event of tensions over the supply of materials, 90 plug-in hybrids could reduce CO2 emissions 35 times more than a single electric vehicle.

Gill Pratt then mentions the hydrogen engine. He believes that, at this stage, it is premature to deploy it before 2035. Europe has not yet taken a decision, while the United States considers the technology to be zero-emission (despite a few grams of CO2). This would make it possible to decarbonise commercial vehicles, LCVs* and pick-ups.

*Light Commercial Vehicles

Toyota does not believe in predictions of €20 per litre

This Toyota expert goes on to talk about e-fuels. In his opinion, it will take decades to replace the 1.2 billion vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, whereas we could be acting now to decarbonise the world’s vehicle fleet. And all the more since some parts of the world will only have this alternative and for a long time to come. Incidentally, he brushes aside the claims of some experts who believe that even in the long term the cost of these fuels will be €20 a litre. Gill Pratt does not believe these predictions, and on the contrary believes that it is possible to reduce the cost to produce these renewable energies.

As far as efficiency is concerned, Mr Pratt believes that electric is indeed more relevant when there is a network of stations. But when this is not the case, there is no way around synthetic fuels. Furthermore, it is easier to store energy in molecules – which can be transported by boat – than in electrons over long distances. Production could therefore come from remote countries. 

Finally, Gill Pratt makes no secret of his scepticism about electric trucks, whose rapid charging is likely to be expensive and put a strain on the electric grid. However, while the logical alternative is hydrogen, the weak point at this stage remains the network of refuelling stations.

Do you want to learn more about Toyota and its latest development in e-fuels and hydrogen? Then our latest articles about the company should interest you. You can access all our articles written about Toyota here.

Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King