Diesel and Natural Gas Hybrid Variants Could Open World Markets Wider for Toyota

Toyota is considering ending the argument backed by European automakers, that internal combustion (ICE) diesel engines are equally efficient for solving environmental concerns as gasoline-electric hybrids, simply by producing diesel-electric hybrids.

Both hybrid diesel and natural gas-fuelled ICE drivetrains may become reality, designed to suit local market needs, said Senior Managing Director Hiroyuki Watanabe.

Toyota is "developing hybrid systems that can be used for gasoline, diesel,

To end the debate over which is more efficient, gasoline-electric hybrids or diesel engines, Toyota is considering producing a diesel-electric hybrid. (Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

The obvious benefit would be incorporating the advantages of modern day direct-injection common-rail diesel engines, which offer much better fuel economy than gasoline resulting

Reportedly Toyota has plans to produce hybrid systems that can be used for gasoline, diesel, natural gas and fuel-cells. (Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

Hybrid drivetrains incorporate an electric motor to assist the primary gasoline engine, in the case of mild-hybrids such as Hondas Insight, Civic Hybrid and upcoming Accord Hybrid, or a gasoline engine that backs up a primary electric motor when talking about full hybrid systems, such as Toyotas Prius, the upcoming Lexus RX 400h, Highlander

While the world waits for hydrogen-powered vehicles to become a reality, ICE-electric hybrids are here to stay. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Both are seen as stopgaps before hydrogen-powered vehicles become reality, yet instrumental for growing the green market and simultaneously acting as rolling test beds for the continued development of environmentally advanced vehicles.

In other words, for the next decade at least, ICE-electric hybrids are here to stay, and in the end the technologies being perfected to make them more efficient, such as the development

DaimlerChryslers Dodge division beat Toyota to the diesel-electric hybrid idea with its pickup truck concept dubbed the Dodge Ram Contractor Special. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

Toyota is the unequivocal leader in hybrid development, having invested tens of millions in its first and second generation Prius, and the upcoming models it has already announced. As previously mentioned, Toyotas hybrid technology has also been licensed to Ford and Nissan, proving that at least these two automakers feel its easier to join the worlds second-largest and most profitable automaker, making Toyota a partner, than fight it.

Combining diesel and electricity isnt completely new, however, with DaimlerChryslers Dodge division having previously shown a concept

While Dodge may have come up with the diesel-hybrid truck idea first, Toyota will no doubt beat them to market with something similar as an option in its next-generation Tacoma or Tundra. (Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

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