Toyota strengthens low-carbon initiatives

Japans Toyota Motor Corp. has unveiled a new program, comprising of initiatives in the areas of R&D, manufacturing and social contribution, aimed at achieving a low-carbon society. The company intends to set up a battery research department in July at its Higashifuji Technical Center in Susono. The department will focus on developing next-generation batteries that are better than lithium-ion batteries. Toyota is also conducting research on alternative fuels, biomass-to-liquid (BTL) biofuels in particular. In the manufacturing aspect of its business, the company now aims to cut by 35% its global emissions volume per sales unit, using the 2001 level as the benchmark year. (June 26, 2008)