Toyota again rejects claims it could quit Derbyshire
REPORT ALLEGED IT WAS UNHAPPY WITH GOVERNMENT’S GREEN POLICIES
TOYOTA has again hit back at claims it could “quit Britain”.
The Sunday Telegraph carried a story suggesting the Burnaston carmaker is unhappy with the Government’s roadmap towards the industry becoming carbon neutral.
The paper claimed Toyota, which employs around 2,500 at Burnaston, had said it may “end manufacturing in the UK if it brings in a ban on hybrid models from 2030 as part of net zero plans”. It said the Government has set a 2030 phase-out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, but will allow the greenest hybrids to be sold until 2035.
It said ministers will define the standard for hybrids in new regulations later this year after consultations held with the industry and green groups, but it is expected to ban all but the most efficient plug-in hybrids. It said Toyota, which pioneered hybrid models with the Prius, has been slow to the fully electric transition compared to other manufacturers. It currently makes a hybrid version of the Corolla at Burnaston.
A hybrid engine combines a conventional combustion engine (usually petrolpowered) with an electric motor. The combustion engine charges the car’s batteries, with the electric motor usually kicking in when extra power is needed, such as during acceleration
But a Toyota source said words taken out of context from a year-old report were the source of the story. A spokesman said: “Our response to the 2021 Government CO2 consultation covered many details given the important issues involved. We do not feel that it can be accurately represented by taking small parts of our response without acknowledgment to the wider context in which they were delivered. We will continue to approach any discussion with the UK Government based on constructive and respectful dialogue.
“Toyota shares the UK Government’s ambition to make progress towards zero emissions. We have a proven track record for CO2 emissions reduction and have never missed a European regional CO2 target – making Toyota a leader amongst major automotive companies.
“We have consistently said we continue to see a role for many different technologies in the transition to zero emission based on the principle of ‘mobility for all’ and ‘carbon as the enemy’ – including for low emission full hybrids and plug-in hybrid technology.
“We have a clear roadmap for achieving zero emission vehicles. For UK, we will be ready to sell 100 per cent of our vehicles with zero emissions by 2035, which is the Government’s target.
“We recognise that the Government would like to make further progress from 2030 towards the wider uptake of zero emission vehicles. This will be moving ahead of regional (European) CO2 commitments – which is a significant challenge for many automotive companies given the integrated nature of the European regional supply chain. But we are looking at ways to help facilitate progress.
“Crucially, the greater adoption of zero emission vehicles will also be reliant on the pace of development for the key enabling conditions – such as availability of clean energy, complimentary charging infrastructure and availability of raw materials. Progress will also be required in these areas.
“Toyota is focused on achieving a long term and sustainable future, including for our UK plants, as we move towards our ultimate goal of securing carbon neutral operations. Maintaining competitiveness is essential.
“We have invested over £2.75 billion in our UK operations to date, including most recently £240m to produce the current Corolla models. The majority of our UK vehicle production is made up of full hybrids, responding to high levels of customer demand in the UK and the European region.
“We are also aiming for our UK production plants to be Toyota’s first global manufacturing facilities to become carbon neutral, as early as 2024 for our engine plant in Deeside, North Wales.”
Toyota is focused on achieving a long term and sustainable future, including for our UK plants. Toyota spokesperson