With 50 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHG) released into the atmosphere annually, projections indicate that climate change is nearing its apex; humanity faces a crucial decision on sustainability as climate change becomes more critical.

Overall, transport ranks as the second-largest contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, after electricity and heat production, with road transport accounting for a significant portion of emissions in this segment.

While there is an urgent need to carve a more sustainable path, there is no direct off-switch for excessive carbon emissions. It is impossible to immediately cut off the dependency on coal, oil and natural gas from our energy mix, as our current lifestyles rely heavily on fossil fuels to varying degrees.

Driving mobility in over 170 countries, Toyota recognises the need for a variable pace that suits each country in the global transition towards making transport more sustainable.

A one-size-fits-all approach to the CO2 emissions puzzle is not pragmatic, given that each country is at a different point in its net-zero decarbonisation journey. Therefore, a multi-pronged approach is sorely needed.

The global race to net-zero carbon emissions and switching to renewables is not an even process, as the pace of each nation is subject to political, economic and technological factors.

While nations such as Norway and Iceland have embraced fully electric battery-powered vehicles (known as battery electric vehicles or BEVs) due to their comprehensive renewable energy and charging infrastructures, others, perhaps closer to home, are still grappling with reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.

In regions like Asia, where the economies significantly depend on fossil fuels, hybrid vehicles help reduce carbon emissions while still leveraging existing fossil fuel network infrastructure.

Alternatively, in nations such as Japan, where hydrogen fuelling networks have matured substantially, hydrogen or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have emerged as a viable option that does not rely on traditional energy grids and charging networks, as hydrogen can be sustainably produced from renewable sources.

While BEVs were commonly thought to be the primary solution for cleaner mobility, Toyota believes an approach with multiple pathways would show that the future of transport goes beyond just batteries.

With its sights set on achieving net-zero carbon emissions, the group is actively exploring alternative solutions, including hydrogen engines and carbon-neutral fuel.

Closer to home, Toyota is actively moving the needle too.

“Malaysia is taking huge leaps forward in becoming a nation more aware of green mobility, and Toyota has been a part of our nation’s electrification journey since the launch of the first hybrid car in Malaysia, the Toyota Prius, in 2009,” says Datuk Ravindran K., president of UMW Toyota Motor. “With Malaysia’s energy mix still predominantly coal-fuelled and charging infrastructure at its infancy, hybrid technology is still the most logical, affordable and best suited to mass adoption for now. Our multi-pathway philosophy will also soon see BEVs in the market, as well as other green solutions for commercial and controlled environments,” he adds.

Toyota has contributed to the sustainability journey by underscoring its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. In 2022, the group sold 2.73 million electrified vehicles worldwide, and 78% of its current models have an electrified option.

The company has significantly leveraged renewable energy in its operations, purchasing 380,688 megawatt hours of renewable electricity in 2023, and managed to recycle, reuse and repurpose 93% of its waste in 2021.

While the net-zero carbon emissions target can be seen as tangible and imminent, Toyota is already looking beyond the horizon with its Beyond Zero initiative. The initiative explores how net-zero carbon emissions can evolve into carbon-positive outcomes, aiming to leave the planet in a better state for future generations.

Whether the group is decreasing plastic waste, supporting water conservation efforts or expanding programmes to protect critical species, Toyota is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and positively impacting society.

Explore Toyota’s range of hybrid vehicles at your nearest showroom, or visit https://www.toyota.com.my/en/discover-toyota/toyota-electrification.html to learn more about the multi-pathway journey.