Toyota ponders on converting old models to reach zero-emission goals

Toyota Motor Corp. is suggesting replacing parts of vehicles already on the road with cleaner technology like fuel cells and electric motors.

Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corp. CEO, said that since it would take a long time for all the cars to become zero emission, as they only make up a fraction of the vehicles being sold, it’s better to change or convert old cars to go green.

With automakers often taking the blame for climate change, the industry is transforming.

But with ecological efforts in the auto industry being appreciated in many nations, Toyoda said it is less appreciated in Japan.

Toyota has dominated the industry with its hybrid technology, exemplified in the Prius, which has both an electric motor and gasoline engine, switching back and forth to deliver the most efficient ride. That has often been seen as reflecting its reluctance to go electric.