Exclusive: Japan emphasised hybrids in policy document after lawmaker cited lobbying from Toyota head

The wording changes, which included adding a reference to"so-called electric-powered vehicles", appear to put fossil-fuel burning hybrids on equal footing with zero-emission battery vehicles, even though environmentalists say there is a vast difference.

Toyoda is both chairman of the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association lobby and president of Toyota. "If we don't make that clear, JAMA will push back with all its might," Amari said, according to the notes and audio. Amari told Reuters that by developing synthetic fuels automakers would be able to produce zero-emissions internal combustion engines. Such fuels could also be used in aircraft, which can't run on battery power, he said.

An earlier draft from May 31, also available online, shows the reference to hybrids only in a footnote. The main text refers to the 2035 target as having all new car sales being"electric-powered vehicles". Energy and climate think-tank InfluenceMap has rated Toyota the worst among major automakers for its lobbying record on climate policy, which includes public statements and interaction with governments.

Energy Energy Latest News, Energy Energy Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Toyota recalls first mass-produced EVs less than 2 months after launchTOKYO :Toyota Motor Corp said on Thursday it would recall 2,700 of its first mass-produced electric vehicles (EVs) because of a danger that wheels could come loose.The world's largest automaker by sales submitted the recall of the bZ4X SUVs to Japan's transportation ministry. Of the 2,700 vehicles, 2,200 were
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Toyota, Subaru shares drop on recalls of their first EV modelsTOKYO :Shares of Toyota Motor Corp and Subaru Corp dropped on Friday after the two Japanese car makers announced recalls of their first mass-produced electric vehicles (EV) for the global market because of a risk the wheels could come loose.The recall by Toyota of 2,700 units of the bZ4X SUVs, rolled out less
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »