NEW
YORK, June 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
unmistakable futuristic hum from passing vehicles on the road
signals a new era in transportation and mobility. The automotive
industry is transforming with new ownership models, cutting-edge
connectivity, and innovative advanced electrified powertrains.
But with change, comes questions: why are automakers focusing so
much on electrified powertrains? What does this shift, marked by
the futuristic hum, really mean for consumers, and is this
transformation really necessary?
At the core, it comes down to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
CO2 is essential to life on earth, but too much poses a threat.
When in balance, CO2 helps keep planet Earth warm enough to sustain
life; however, an imbalance can lead to a much warmer average
temperature, which can lead to bringing forward the predicted
results of climate change.
But where does this excess CO2 come from? Natural sources make
up the majority of CO2 released into the atmosphere: Oceans, animal
and plant respiration, organic matter decomposition, forest fires,
and emissions from volcanic eruptions.
Another contributor to CO2 emissions is human activity,
including power generation, industrial sources, chemical
production, agricultural practices, and transportation. Of all
sectors, transportation accounts for the largest percentage of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the
United States, coming in at 28%. Between 1990 and 2021r, GHG
emissions within the transportation sector, including carbon
dioxide, increased more than any other human-based activity.
Science has shown that CO2 is a contributing factor to climate
change, and, as such, efforts by governments, companies, and
individuals to reduce or eliminate CO2 emissions are gaining
momentum. After all, CO2 emissions can remain in the atmosphere for
hundreds of years, and the impact of emissions in one region can be
felt globally.
As automobile tailpipes are prevalently visible by so many
people each day, transportation, especially the automotive
industry, has become a focal point. Fortunately, various solutions
are being deployed: regulations, incentives, innovative products,
technologies, and services are converging to combat CO2.
To explore these critical topics, a compelling three-part video
series, Driving Decarbonization in America, has been
produced by Bader Media Group, funded by Toyota. Hosted by
Ross Butler with field reporting
from Neka Zang and Ariana Cohen, the series immerses viewers in the
world of CO2 emissions and what is being done in the automotive
industry. Examining what carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases are,
the series delves into the relentless drive to reduce or eliminate
CO2 from new vehicles. By exploring the various vehicle types,
powertrains, and technologies that have shaped – and continue to
shape – the industry landscape, viewers are taken on a dynamic
journey that spans past, present, and future innovations in
sustainable mobility.
Providing a rare glimpse into the automakers' perspective, the
series' hosts speak with the world's largest manufacturer, Toyota,
providing an in-depth look at their multi-pathway approach to
vehicles and technology, alongside other companies dedicated
to driving decarbonization.
The series will air on MotorTrend TV with availability on
the DISCOVERY GO App and DISCOVERY+ Streaming. The world
premiere of the episodes will be:
Episode 1
|
June 17,
2024
|
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
(ET/PT)
|
Episode 2
|
July 19,
2024
|
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
(ET/PT)
|
Episode 3
|
August 26,
2024
|
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
(ET/PT)
|
All Three
Episodes
|
August 31,
2024
|
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
(ET/PT)
|
In the series, viewers will learn:
From Subject Matter Experts:
The series will
provide viewers with valuable knowledge shared by
industry analysts, researchers, engineers, thinktanks, and
company executives. These experts will discuss the significance of
carbon dioxide emissions and how combined efforts are driving
decarbonization.
Vehicle Electrification:
A portfolio of low- and
zero-emission vehicles are currently available and are helping
reduce CO2 emissions today. Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and
battery electric vehicles will be discussed, shedding light on how
choices can help consumers find a way to reduce their carbon
dioxide emissions.
Automotive Batteries:
The push towards electrification means more automotive batteries.
While having more battery electric vehicles on the road may mean
less tailpipe-emissions, what about other sources of emissions? Are
we just shifting CO2 emissions from the tailpipe to somewhere else?
Innovations in battery recycling and ways to optimize supply chain
logistics will be key to this growing area.
Existing Vehicles:
There is a significant
emphasis on new vehicles and their emissions, but what about the
vehicles that are not electrified? Even with the most optimistic
projections indicating that 50% or more of new vehicle sales in
the United States will be battery
electric by 2032, the fact remains that a large portion of vehicles
on the road will still have internal combustion engines, meaning
they may still emit carbon dioxide. If reducing carbon is so
important and a priority, is there a solution that can help reduce
CO2 emissions from these and other legacy vehicles?
Utility/energy systems:
Electric vehicles also bring with them the possibility of
bidirectional charging, where electricity can be taken off the grid
to charge the batteries, but also flow the other way. But when is
the best time to charge, and is the electricity being used coming
from renewable energy sources? How can vehicles become a tool for
utility companies to help make the overall energy grid more
resilient?
Join us as we follow Ross' journey as he explores the
increasingly important topics of the future of transportation and
CO2 emissions through this three-part series this summer.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of
the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is
committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility
through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500
dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who
have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more
than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants.
By 2025, Toyota's 10th plant in North
Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for
electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road
than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 29 electrified
options.
Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota
USA Foundation has committed to
creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership
with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the
company's U.S. operating sites.
For more information about Toyota, visit
www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Toyota Media Contact:
Aaron
Fowles
aaron.fowles@toyota.com
469-292-1097
Olivia Boisineau-Beckett
Olivia.boisineau@toyota.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/driving-decarbonization-in-america--to-air-on-motortrend-tv-discovery-go-and-discovery-streaming-302171158.html
SOURCE Toyota Motor North America