Toyota, in a partnership with both Mazda and Subaru, has unveiled several new in-development engines capable of running on several different types of fuel. The stated aim is “decarbonization” of its internal combustion engines, which is why this new trio is heading to market across all three brand’s vehicle models.

The 1.5l and 2.0l engines, while optimised for alternative fuels, are also being made smaller and more compact. They’re destined for hybrid vehicles and their reduced size will “…allow for even lower hoods, improving design possibilities and aerodynamic performance while contributing to better fuel efficiency.”

Green Toyota

South Africa has yet to lay hands on any of Toyota’s more green-centric vehicles but the day isn’t far off now. The recent presentation by the company and its partners — Toyota owns part of both Mazda and Subaru — is a glimpse at a future that is a little further away. The compact design is only part of the innovation. It’s the intended fuel for these engines that makes them particularly noteworthy.

Biofuel, which tends to be derived from plants, is one potential substance that will be used inside the Japanese company’s new engines but there are two other alternatives planned. One is E-Fuel, which is exactly what it sounds like — a synthetic gasoline made from hydrogen and CO2. The other is liquid hydrogen.

How each of these will be implemented isn’t explained but there’s also no stated date for when these new engines, which will be about 10% smaller than the engines used in Toyota compacts like the Yaris, will head to market in actual vehicles. There’s plenty of time for the company to figure out how to explain that you should only use one type of fuel at a time. It’s not like dumping liquid hydrogen, biofuel, and E-Fuel into the same tank will do your service plan any favours. Will it?