Going ahead with its ambitious commitment towards sustainability, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched its one-of-a-kind Flexi Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle project (FFV-SHEV) in India. Imported from Brazil, the pilot project will use a current generation Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid to promote and create awareness on Ethanol as an important indigenous, carbon neutral energy pathway, along with the advanced Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology. The company plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through the entire value-chain including tailpipe emission and manufacturing activities.
Toyota Flex Fuel Car: Why Ethanol?
With the increasing crude oil prices and the depletion in reserves, India is looking for alternatives to reduce tail-pipe emission and its reliance on international market for energy needs. Under its diversified efforts to becoming truly ‘Atma Nirbhar’ the government has put together a broad plan to introduce multiple clean technology pathways. One among them, ‘Ethanol’ (E20) will help the country reduce crude oil dependence by 86 million barrels leading to forex savings of up to Rs 30,000 crores. In addition, the indigenous and clean energy ethanol fuel source is agriculture based which helps increase farmers’ incomes and create new jobs, boosting rural economy.
The introduction of FFV technology will enable automakers to adapt to higher ethanol blends from 20 percent to 85 percent. Currently, this technology is already in adaption in countries like Brazil where, where FFV-SHEV vehicles have a flexi fuel engine and an electric powertrain to return higher fuel efficiency figures and reduce well-to-wheel carbon emission to a minimum.
Read Also: Toyota Corolla to Make a Comeback as India’s First Flex Fuel Car
Large scale implementation of FFV-SHEV vehicles will help India achieve its national target of ‘Carbon Net-Zero 2070’.
Earlier, TKM had brought a Toyota Mirai Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle as a technology demonstrator.
Read Also: Toyota to Debut India’s First Flex Fuel Car
