Japan redefines EVs and creates new type
Three brands merge for first engines

WORLD  16 June 2024 - 20:03

EcoNews carries an article about Japan which has always been at the forefront of the electric mobility industry, Caliber.Az reprints the article.

Japan has always been at the forefront of the electric mobility industry, with brands like Toyota setting the pace for those that came later (and yes, Tesla is among the latter). However, they have shocked the experts by redefining EVs and creating a new type: these three brands will merge to produce the first engines and change everything we know.

Japan has “merged” three legendary brands to redefine the EV industry 

Thus, Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda recently stated that they will jointly develop new internal combustion engines for hybrid vehicles optimized to show maximum efficiency on the way to complete carbon neutrality. 

The new engines shall undoubtedly be efficient and powerful, with less bulkiness or compactness being a significant consideration. The extent of the change may involve deep structural reform. It will also make it possible to design the hoods much lower, so they will have enhanced aerodynamics and, thus, improved fuel economy.

Instead of muscling up a shared motor, both companies will aim at having their own unique and distinct “powerplant.” Toyota is gradually developing new inline-four engines, while Mazda is involved in rotary engines and Subaru in its horizontally opposed boxer engine.

By adopting such an approach, it is possible to ensure that each brand preserves and develops its own image while promoting the common objective of minimizing emissions. The intention is also to develop low-carbon fuels, as we have recently seen here in America. 

What is Japan planning to do with EVs? Goodbye to electric cars as you know them 

One of the unique attributes of the new generation of engines is their compatibility with electrical drive units. Companies have a propensity to fine-tune these engines to harmonize the motors, batteries, and other electric drive units.

These incorporations will further improve the properties of the vehicles in terms of performance and effectiveness. The beneficial relationship that Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda share can be described as “Competition with cooperation” in that the three automobile industries will continue to design their engines.

As you might be imagining by now, they intend to take on the American EV industry and China. Low-cost brands such as BYD and Xiaomi, which do not result in zero emissions during their production but quite the opposite, are creating a severe problem for the decarbonization of mobility.

Japan is not only thinking about future cars; new fuels are also to be developed. 

As if that were not enough, not only do they intend to give rise to new engines (each brand has its own), but also to fuels that leave EVs behind or can be merged with them. Do you know what they are? We have seen them in projects that have scientists in shock, but we are going to review them now:

Hydrogen has an impressive thermal efficiency and can be obtained from renewable sources (almost any, even nuclear, which, of course, does not fall under this qualification).

Ammonia: traditionally used in ships, green ammonia may now be the source of the future for cars, with 90 per cent less emissions.

Methanol, a derivative of methane, the most polluting gas, could be the middle ground between thermal and combustion cars and EVs.

Caliber.Az