Transition to zero-pollution transport through optimal hybrid power trains

The transition to zero-pollution transportation requires innovative powertrain designs that can meet the twin requirements of reduced emissions and increased thermal efficiency. Toyota is arguably the world-leader in hybrid powertrain design and the proposed project is the result of work performed with Toyota Motor Europe (TME). Apart from advanced defence and motorsport applications, the properties of a fuel have typically been treated independently of the design of the energy conversion device. Working jointly with the JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation, the Company has identified an opportunity to remove this limitation through a research programme that includes the determination of optimal fuel molecules that offer practical performance advantages. The combination of fuel and engine technologies marks a major shift in the transportation sector. It has the potential of leading to significant reductions in emissions and improved fuel economy for conventional, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in HEVs (PHEVs). It is a key development that removes limitations imposed by segregated design methods.