Several global car manufacturers have announced their intention to continue working on internal combustion engines, despite the national switch to electric vehicles.
Japanese automotive giants Mazda, Subaru and Toyota announced that they are fully committed to developing engine technology in a bid to reach carbon neutrality.
While all three manufacturers are continuing to develop electric vehicle technology, they have all identified that carbon is the "enemy".
As part of the continued development of these vehicles, the three brands aim to improve performance with electric drive units to harness the power of both powertrains.
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Toyota, Mazda and Suzuki have all agreed to the partnership PAToyota, Mazda and Subaru are developing new powertrains that will be compatible with several carbon-neutral fuels including liquid hydrogen, biofuels and synthetic fuel.
Many experts have been calling on major brands to support the use of carbon-neutral fuels to ensure internal combustion engines stay on the road for longer periods of time.
This will also give drivers the chance to switch to electric vehicles when they are ready, with many still calling for prices to fall and the charging infrastructure to improve.
Masahiro Moro, representative director, president and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation, said the use of such fuels could spur on competition among other brands, making it more widespread among motorists.
He said: “We will continue to offer customers exciting cars by honing internal combustion engines for the electrification era and expanding the multi-pathway possibilities for achieving carbon neutrality.
"Given the rotary engine’s compatibility with electrification and carbon-neutral fuels, Mazda will continue to develop the technology through co-creation and competition to ensure it can contribute broadly to society."
The three brands are moving forward with EVs, despite only having one each on the market, notably the Toyota bZ4X, Mazda MX-30 and the Subaru Solterra.
However, all three Japanese brands are still committed to moving forward with both electric vehicles and those powered by internal combustion engines.
The partnership was unveiled earlier this week
TOYOTA
Koji Sato, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation said: “In order to provide our customers with diverse options to achieve carbon neutrality, it is necessary to take on the challenge of evolving engines that are in tune with the energy environment of the future.
"The three companies, which share the same aspirations, will refine engine technologies through friendly competition."
Similarly, Atsushi Osaki, representative director, president and CEO at Subaru Corporation, said the partnership represented major strides being taken to reduce emissions across motoring.
He added: "Achieving a carbon-neutral society is a challenge that must be undertaken by all of Japan's industries and society as a whole.
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Toyota has just one electric vehicle on the market - the bZ4X
TOYOTA"As we continue to refine electrification technology, we will also enhance our horizontally-opposed engines with an aim to use carbon-neutral fuels in the future.
"Moving forward, the three companies sharing the same aspiration will continue to advance the pursuit of sustainable excellence in Japanese car manufacturing."