Toyota Considering Making Diesel-Electric Hybrid Vehicles

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

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 Canada)

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, natural gas and fuel-cells, which will be the most fuel-efficient," Watanabe said in Tokyo last week.

The obvious benefit would be incorporating the advantages of modern day direct-injection common-rail diesel engines, which

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

offer much better fuel economy than gasoline resulting in approximately 17 percent average lower emissions, with the benefits of a hybrid drivetrain.

Hybrid drivetrains incorporate an electric motor to assist the primary gasoline engine, in the case of mild-hybrids such as Honda's 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 Toyota's Prius, the upcoming Lexus RX 400h, Highlander and Camry hybrids, as well as the Toyota hybrid powered Ford Escape Hybrid and upcoming Nissan Altima Hybrid, among others.