Toyota is working on a carbon capture filtration system as a cheaper alternative to buying a whole EV to reduce air pollution.
The Japanese automaker touted its hydrogen-burning engine to be carbon neutral, absorbing most of the greenhouse gases it is supposed to emit, Automotive News reported.
This works due to the two circular filters attached to the engine that absorb and store carbon dioxide into an easily disposable fluid solution.
Moreover, the engine does not require additional energy to absorb carbon dioxide in the air.
Toyota reported that it had already started testing the engine in n a GR Corolla race car last year.
It is worth noting, however, that the engine could be applied to heavy-duty trucks or industrial-scale landmowers rather than personal vehicles.
Toyota's Engine Highlights Need for a Bridge Toward EV Industry
While the possibility of the carbon capture filtration engine would not yet be available to the market anytime soon, it presents a feasible bridge for countries transitioning towards EV-centric highways.
In the U.S., automakers are expressing grievances with the government ramping up the shift from carbon-emitting cars to electric vehicles.
A primary concern was the high cost needed to produce an EV -- several times more expensive than non-EV models.
U.S. President Joe Biden has already injected funding toward the transition but received pushback from lawmakers due to the high cost needed to accommodate all facilities for a sustainable EV market.
Other Eco-Friendly Alternatives to EVs
Hydrogen-based engines are not the only car models that could bridge the gap between traditional cars and EVs as more technological developments are made.
Experts are now looking at natural gas, such as biomethane, as a more sustainable source of energy than regular biofuels.
Liquid fuels are estimated to have an 80% lower carbon footprint than regular diesels due to their being easily broken down unlike the fossil fuels commonly used today.
The technology, however, needs to fully utilize both hydrogen and natural gas as a source of power for commercial vehicles is limited as most products are locked behind the development process.
