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Toyota never fails to live up to its goal of environmental sustainability in its operations, advocacy programs, and of course, its products. The company’s cars, in particular the hybrid Prius models, have undergone a transformation, structure-wise. From using ecological plastics to energy-saving LED lights, the Prius is truly the auto industry’s poster car for green transportation. A car made up of plastic? Ever since Toyota included the use of ecological plastics in their vehicles, the company has cut down on the use of petroleum-based products that are harmful to the environment. Ecological plastics are mostly derived from sustainable plant sources. The 2010 Prius makes use of such ecological plastics. Instead of petroleum, the car’s seat cushions are made out of foam obtained from castor oil. Aside from seat cushions, other vehicle parts such as trunk liners, door trims, and headliners have been developed to be made up of ecological plastics. The use of eco-plastics, other than reducing petroleum use, also emits 20% less carbon dioxide in its lifetime. A lot of other vehicle parts are made from recycled materials and a synthetic polymer that is recyclable. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—the Prius plant in Japan makes use of sustainable technology as well, utilizing solar power in its operations and purifying return air and water. Like the company’s plants in Northern America, the Prius factory is steadily working to eliminate its landfill waste. Green driving In 2006, Toyota started to equip their new automatic-transmission Japanese-market vehicle models with an Eco Drive Indicator, a feature meant to encourage environmentally-considerate driving. The indicator is meant to make the driver aware of how the car is being operated: if the indicator lights up, it means that the car is properly driven, and thus fuel is saved. Eco Driving depends on accelerator use, the efficiency of the engine and transmission, and the car’s speed and its acceleration rate. Proper driving equates to a greater fuel economy and less emissions. It’s a win-win situation: car owners get to save a lot of gas money, and the environment stays clean. With the indicator, the company hopes to change the driving habits of people and help them make the most out of their engines. The company shows that drivers themselves have a lot to do with fuel economy, not just their engines and cars. Sustainable technology Some people have doubts about hybrid cars because of the misconception that maintaining a hybrid is more expensive than keeping a gas-powered car. Hybrids may be more expensive at first but in the long run it saves a lot more by reducing maintenance costs. Hybrid technology allows an engine to be shut off when not in use that saves it from overuse; there is no need for transmission fluid; the regenerative brakes keep the rotor and brake pads in good condition; and there is no need to replace alternators, starters, and belts simply because the hybrids don’t have any of these. Consumers interested in making more savings are advised to buy used cars from Japan, where pre-owned cars in excellent condition are in abundance. Buyers can also opt to browse for Toyota hybrids online in used-car marketplaces such as tradecarview.
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