Toyota Innovates More Earth Friendly Production of Hybrids

Toyota disclosed that it has discovered a way to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles without utilizing expensive rare-earth metals. The dependency on these metals complicates the manufacturing process, and a new substitute for rare Earth metals would lighten the requirements and expenses required to manufacture these types of vehicles. It would also circumvent export laws and lessen the dependency on mining.

Currently, Toyota is the world’s largest manufacturer of hybrid vehicles. However, the production of these vehicles require certain expensive metals, such as neodymium and dysprosium. These metals are typically mined in China, and manufacturers such as Toyota depend on the reliable exports of these metals.

However, China may soon limit their trade policy for materials that diminish the country’s natural resources. Such potential new export laws would threaten hybrid car companies. Without these minerals, the magnetic properties of electric motors cannot function, and without a proper substitute the manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles would be threatened. The possibility of a restricted mineral trade has spurred electric car manufacturers to seek alternatives.

Their new, but unspecified, technology will be utilized for wide-scale manufacturing in just two years, according to a Toyota spokesperson. However, there is currently no time-line regarding the availability of the unnamed substitute in the wider electric and hybrid car market.

Hybrid and electric vehicles are gaining in popularity by environmental and gas-conscious consumers across the world.

Related Posts:

• Toyota Building Prius-Flavored Pickup?
• New 2010 Toyota Prius In High Demand
• Prius vs Corolla – Which Makes More Economic Sense?