The European head of Toyota Motor Corporation welcomed the EU's agreement to allow the continuation of sales of engine-powered vehicles on the condition that synthetic fuels be used, as the EU, which is promoting the shift to EVs = electric vehicles, saying, "It's a small step, but it's based on reality."
Toyota announced on March 30 that its flagship Yaris compact car produced at its Valenciennes plant in northern France has sold more than 1000 million units worldwide.
Regarding this, Mr. Yoshihiro Nakata, who will assume the position of president of Toyota Motor Europe from April, expressed the view that hybrid vehicles with high fuel efficiency and low CO4 emissions are doing well and are being accepted in Europe, which is aiming for decarbonization.
On top of that, regarding the shift to EVs in Europe, he said, "Many of the EVs currently on sale are expensive, and battery charging facilities are not sufficiently developed," and emphasized that there are challenges in popularization.
Furthermore, regarding the agreement by the EU, which has been aiming to ban the sale of new engine-powered vehicles, to allow the continuation of sales of engine-powered vehicles on the condition that synthetic fuels are used that emit virtually zero carbon dioxide, he said, "I don't think the tide has changed significantly," and that "it is a small step, but a change has occurred based on the reality." They expressed their intention to welcome it.
He also stated that "it is not zero for the EU = European Union to make further revisions," and indicated that Toyota will closely monitor the European debate on the shift to EVs so that it can provide various options.