Three automakers that have made it clear that jumping headfirst into the electric vehicle waters is not their plan have announced a collaboration on development of combustion engines. Mazda, Subaru, and Toyota have publicly stated in the past that battery electric vehicles will require a lot of time to meet mainstream consumer demands and that hybrid-electrics and alternative fuels are a better pathway towards efficiency goals. Now they are collaborating on combustion engine designs that will help with those transitory goals.
The three companies have committed to developing new engines that are tailored to electrification and carbon neutrality. The engines, prototype models of which were on display at the Multipathway Workshop hosted by the three automotive brands, aim to move towards electrification goals while decarbonizing internal combustion through compatibility with carbon-neutral, alternative fuels.
Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda seek to revolutionize vehicle packaging by offering more compact engines into a vehicle, allowing for lower hoods and better aerodynamics. Along with that, a shift away from common fossil fuels and towards alternatives such as e-fuels, biofuels, hydrogen, and other options will improve efficiency and reduce or eliminate carbon footprints.
Aaron is an automotive journalist living in Wyoming, USA. His background includes technology, mechanics, commercial vehicles, and new vehicle evaluations. Aaron is a member of several automotive media groups and writes for many well-known publications.