Toyota's Akio Toyoda, announced plans to turn classic gas-powered cars into eco-friendly automobiles, transforming them into electric vehicles or EVs.
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Peruvian blind driver Jose Luis Cantt drives his Toyota Trueno AE86 along with his co-pilot Piero Polar during an exhibition at the Yahuarcocha autodrome in Ibarra, Ecuador, on September 24, 2022.
In a bid to reduce carbon emissions, the Japanese automaker is now planning to retrofit older vehicles with electric engines and other sustainable technology.
Toyota's Akio Toyoda Plans to Turn Classic Cars into EVs
A news story by Business Insider reports that Toyota is now looking to breathe new life into its existing fuel-powered classics.
While other automakers are introducing futuristic EVs, as part of their move to reduce car emissions, the Japanese carmaker looks to be capitalizing on its long history of producing vehicles.
The Toyota Chief Executive Officer (CEO) plans to convert some of its older fuel-powered cars into eco-friendly vehicles to curb emissions.
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Toyota president Akio Toyoda gestures at a briefing on EV (electric vehicle) battery strategies at the companys showroom in Tokyo on December 14, 2021.
On top of making them more eco-friendly, the big boss of the automaker also believes that transforming classics might help further push for the shift to EVs.
The Japanese carmaker seeks to convert some of the older vehicles, which are now deemed classics, into either an all-electric vehicle or a hybrid version.
The renowned firm hopes that this project would help reduce the emissions of these vehicles. Not to mention that it should also help improve their overall fuel efficiency.
Toyoda says that the "conversion" strategy includes replacing certain parts of older cars with more sustainable counterparts.
The chief executive notes that it includes introducing electric motors and fuel cells to these gas-powered vehicles.
The grandson of the Toyota founder, Kiichiro Toyoda, said during the Tokyo Auto Salon that he does not "want to leave any car lover behind."
The "conversion" project seeks to focus on older Toyota and Lexus cars at first. So we might see iconic vehicles from these two sought-after brands transform into EVs.
Despite that, it might also open doors to other car brands moving forward.
Read Also: Toyota Boss Questions Having EV-Only Lineup - 'Silent Majority' Has Doubts?
Two AE86 Zero-Emissions Concepts
Toyota showed how the "conversion" project of classics might look once it fully takes off. The Japanese company introduced two AE86 BEV concepts during the Tokyo Auto Show 2023.
According to a report by The Verge, the AE86 BEV took some parts from the Prius and Tundra.
The new concepts are electric versions of its iconic AE86 sports car, aptly named the eRacer and H2-Racer.
The e-Racer flaunts an electric powertrain and battery technology. The carmaker also improved the aerodynamics of the 80s vehicle to modern standards.
On the other hand, the H2-Racer showcases the new hydrogen fuel cell technology of the Japanese carmaker.
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