As the leader in mobility in the country, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) acknowledges its responsibility to support the nation’s decarbonization efforts while taking into account environmental, social, and economic aspects of development.
“At Toyota, sustainability goes beyond simply reducing our environmental impact. We believe in creating a better future for everyone, a future where mobility enhances lives and protects our planet,” said Josephine Villanueva, first vice president for Corporate Affairs Group of TMP, in explaining Toyota’s BEYOND ZERO philosophy, the centerpiece of the Group’s sustainability ambition.
“We’re not just aiming to eliminate negative impacts like carbon emissions, pollution, and accidents. We’re also dedicated to creating positive value – developing innovative solutions that improve people’s lives and contribute to a healthier society,” Villanueva said in an interview.
On Oct. 26, 2024, TMP presented to the media its BEYOND ZERO vision through its Toyota Mobility Concept. Villanueva said the concept is built on the pillars of electrification, diversification, and intelligence—all aimed at creating a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable future.
Villanueva said the first pillar, electrification, aims to help Toyota achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through widespread use of electrified vehicles (x-EVs). “By using current technologies, we can make this shift practical and effective while also supporting national goals,” she said.
Elvin Luciano, in the same event, tackled Toyota global’s multi-pathway approach to electrification and pointed out “the customer should have a choice of the right low carbon solution that meets their mobility needs.”
“This choice should extend across all powertrain technologies, with the aim of providing mass and accessible electrification,” Luciano said.
He said efficient internal combustion engines compatible with renewable energy sources like biofuels, hybrid EVs, plug-in hybrid, battery EVs and fuel cell EVs offer lower emissions compared to traditional engines. Luciano said these multiple clean technology options will accelerate CO2 reduction.
“However, the widespread adoption of each technology will be critical for significant and immediate CO2 emission reductions at scale,” Luciano said in his presentation.
In countries like the Philippines where renewable energy is still developing, technologies like HEVs or PHEVs may currently offer a more practical and immediate reduction in CO2 compared to BEVs, Luciano said.
“This is why Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy is crucial—it allows us to tailor our approach based on the available energy infrastructure, ensuring that we are reducing emissions effectively, even in areas where a full shift to BEVs may not yet be the cleanest or most feasible solution,” he added.
Luciano also noted the adoption of these technologies will change over time. He explained HEVs and PHEVs offer an immediate way to reduce emissions in areas where charging infrastructure for BEVs is not fully developed yet, while BEVs will become more common as renewable energy sources grow.
Hydrogen is also emerging as a clean fuel, especially for heavy-duty transportation, industrial uses, and fixed-route services, Luciano said. In cities, BEVs might be the go-to, while in rural areas or for long-distance travel, HEVs or FCEVs might make more sense. ICE vehicles, especially those running on biofuels or synthetic fuels, will still be an affordable option for many.
“The key takeaway is that all these different powertrains are leading us to the same destination—carbon neutrality by 2050,” Luciano said.
TMP has set an ambitious goal to achieve 50 percent xEVs sales for new vehicles by 2040. To get there, TMP said its strategies cover: driving demand through measures like mandatory xEV fleet adoption for government agencies and targeted sectors such as industrial and tourism; investing in a robust charging infrastructure, with a target of 3,600 charging points by 2040; and through the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI)’s range of attractive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.
“These strategic initiatives, combined with the incentives, are designed to create a favorable environment for xEV adoption and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable transport sector in the Philippines.”
Luciano cited statistics which showed that in 2023, HEVs made up 2.3 percent of total new vehicle sales, while BEVs reached 0.1 percent. He did not provide the sales figures.
“While these numbers may seem small, they represent significant growth compared to previous years,” Luciano said.
Aside from the crucial policy support provided by EVIDA and CREVI for xEV adoption, Luciano attributed the widening adoption to the increasing availability of charging stations making it more convenient to own and operate PHEVs and BEVs.
In addition, more automotive companies are introducing xEV models in the Philippines, giving consumers greater choice and driving competition.