Toyota Times: Akio's Message to All "24H Team" Members: What You Need to Know Before the 24H Endurance Race Challenge (4)

Akio's message at the morning meeting

Carbon neutrality is the challenge of our time…

People around the world talk of BEVs as the only solution to the challenge.

In response to global warming, the automotive industry has declared that it will work as one, towards carbon neutrality.

What I want to make clear, however, is that we need to get the order right.

I believe that the goal is carbon neutrality, not 'selling BEVs', 'selling FCEVs', or 'banning gasoline-powered cars'.

While adopting the European approach is one potential option for Japan, given our unique energy circumstances, we should also think of the choice to do things our own way.

We 'still' have three decades between now and the year 2050. Thirty years ago, we didn't have hybrids and FCEVs. But we did have engineers who continued to improve our technology.

We have the technology that created more rigid car bodies for the WRC…

We have the technology of hydrogen tanks through the experience in our FCEV Mirai…

Denso has continued to work hard on injectors…

And at Toyota, we've worked hard on the hydrogen-powered engine for the past four years…

ROOKIE Racing was also launched…

As the timing of all these elements came together, we found ourselves in the position to propose a new alternative.

Of the 5.5 million people in Japan's automotive industry, the people gathered here are the 'front line', as it were, working towards carbon neutrality.

I believe we have a shared mindset in wanting to demonstrate another option in the quest for carbon neutrality.

Some people may say we are reckless to enter the Super Taikyu at this stage of development…

Last year, I had a chance to take part in the Super Taikyu as part of our efforts to improve the GR Yaris.

It made me realize that the cycle of breaking and fixing, breaking and fixing, is an excellent way to develop a car. I want to try the same approach with the hydrogen-powered engine.

For the hydrogen-powered engine, I would like all of the professionals gathered here to draw on their individual strengths, as we work towards our shared goal of creating a new alternative in the pursuit of carbon neutrality.

Motorsports is something to be experienced with all your senses.

You need the sounds, and the smells as well… one year on, I see it as our mission to also create the tone of the hydrogen-powered engine. I hope you will lend your abilities and efforts towards that end.

Above all, I believe the best way to demonstrate the safety of hydrogen is to drive the car myself.

I realize that I may be slowing down the professional drivers, but I believe the safety message is also important. I hope you will have me on the team!