Bangkok Post – Hybrids still greener, seminar told

ASEAN told not to focus on electric vehicles

TOKYO: Japan believes hybrid vehicles can show the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) another path to achieving its sustainable development goals.

Speaking at a seminar on “Economic Security and Supply Chains,” Prof. Yasuyuki Todo of the Department of Political Science and Economics at Waseda University said ASEAN should be careful not to rely too heavily on the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

This is because ASEAN countries primarily rely on fossil fuels to produce energy, so even when people use electric vehicles, they still consume valuable non-renewable resources while driving.

He therefore proposed that ASEAN, including Thailand, focus on hybrid cars as they are still much more practical than electric vehicles in terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions for most countries.

He added that Thailand is no longer at the stage of offering itself as a hub for car manufacturers.

“Thailand should focus more on research and development than on car performance, as companies like Toyota already have research centres in Thailand,” said Prof. Yasuyuki.

He suggested Thailand should focus on more efficient energy production and management, using existing technology, to achieve the carbon neutrality and zero emissions goals it has set for 2050 and 2065 respectively.

“Another way (to achieve sustainability) is to produce energy more efficiently.

“That is why I have great hope that ASEAN will leverage technology to strengthen its energy sector,” he added.

Meanwhile, at another “Towards a Green Transformation” seminar, Shinnosuke Ito, head of the Keidanren Energy and Environmental Policy and Protection Office and head of the Challenge Zero Promotion Office, said that electric vehicles are not the only path to a net-zero emissions future and that there should be multiple paths, such as focusing on hybrid cars, which are a more realistic option.

“We shouldn’t push EV success at the expense of other industries. We need to allow alternatives, like hybrid cars. We need to take it step by step.

“The Japanese auto industry, including Toyota Motor Corp., also has other car lines besides electric vehicles. Jumping headfirst into electric vehicles is unrealistic, even for Japan,” he added.

Reiji Takehara, director of the Keidanren International Cooperation Bureau, previously explained that to achieve net zero emissions, the focus should not be solely on electric vehicles.

He added that this is because when governments offer subsidies for electric vehicles, the prices become more attractive to buyers, but once the subsidies end, people will be reluctant to buy them again.

“Although some people drive EVs in Japan, there are still too few charging stations. In addition, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the electricity for EV charging must be generated from 100% renewable energy,” he said.

“In Japan, we still burn fossil fuels to produce electricity that is supplied to the country, including to charging stations for electric vehicles.

“Are there any countries that can boast that 100% of their electricity demand is covered by renewable sources?

“I don’t think so. That’s why we shouldn’t be short-sighted,” he added.