With almost half of all alternatively fuel-led vehicles (AFVs) sold last year wearing a Toyota or Lexus badge, the brand’s commitment to reducing emissions is hard to ignore.

Since 1997, Toyota has pioneered the self-charging hybrid powertrain and now offers it across almost all of its model range.

Diesel engines have been removed from the entire passenger car line-up, with all new models offered with a hybrid or petrol engine.

Toyota believes the self-charging hybrid is the most cost-effective path for fleets to quickly transition to greener motoring, requiring no charging infrastructure or charging delays.

Data from more than 17,000 test drives shows Toyota & Lexus hybrid models operate on electric power for an average of 50% of the journey.

Globally, Toyota has a long-term manifesto to reduce its environmental impact, addressing every single area of vehicle manufacture and use through to disposal.

It is working on more environmentally-friendly designs that use lower carbon raw materials and fewer parts, enable greater use of bio-materials from renewable sources and make vehicles easier to dismantle and recycle.

Alongside its hybrid powertrains, Toyota is investing in the development of hydrogen fuel cell and battery technology.

The Toyota Mirai was the first mass-market hydrogen-powered vehicle to be launched. With a range of 300 miles it emits nothing other than water.

Hydrogen technology is being used for further sustainability projects, such as supporting the Japan 2020 Olympics with hydrogen buses and using fuel cells to power forklift trucks within Toyota plants.

This year, Toyota is revitalising its line-up with an all-new Corolla, RAV4 and Camry – all of which feature hybrid power. The Corolla is the first car to be offered with a choice of two self-charging hybrid engines, providing customers with more choice.

The Lexus range was enhanced with the hybrid-powered RX and LS in 2018 and this year sees the introduction of the new ES luxury saloon and UX crossover.

To date, Toyota and Lexus has sold more than 12 million low emission and plug-in vehicles. It estimates that these have saved more than 90m tons of CO2 from being emitted, versus conventionally powered vehicles.

Finalists: BMW (UK), Hyundai UK, Nissan Motor (GB), PSA Group

Award sponsored byOgilvie Fleet 

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Author: Fleet News