TOYOTA REDRAWS THE TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP

A QUICK TRAWL through social media reveals that not everyone is enamoured by how the alternatives to ICE-powered cars are shaping up. That could have much to do with the fact that the 2030 ICE ban will force people out of new cars for which no comparable alternative exists - but that doesn't mean it never will.

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Toyota's next-generation battery tech, due in three years, is an example. It will give a range of up to 620 miles, reduce cost by 20% and have a charging time of 20 minutes "or less".

Since 'alternative propulsion' began to be taken seriously a couple of decades ago, no engineering consultant, independent research body or self-respecting car maker's R&D department was without a technology roadmap representing how various types of ever more efficient engine tech would evolve. As far as the greening of the car was concerned, the message was always: 'There is no single solution.'