Empact is based on the combination of environmental impact, focusing on the company's movements towards carbon neutrality, and empowering action, which represents the efforts Toyota is making to design a more equitable and inclusive deployment strategy within underserved communities.
The strategy centres on three fundamental areas: access to charging, providing affordable mobility solutions, and reducing carbon emissions.
"Our vision will be our guide as we work with local and state officials to identify communities where Empact might help address issues related to EV charging access and affordability," said Christopher Reynolds, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, corporate resources, Toyota Motor North America. "Providing EV charging solutions will empower consumers to make decisions that will not only have a positive impact on the environment but accelerate the adoption of electrified vehicles as well."
To address access to charging, Toyota will work with partners and cities to identify ideal locations for charging station deployment to serve customers more efficiently. Initially, targeted locations will include places without off-street or private parking, including areas of higher population density in multi-family housing.
For affordability, Toyota will explore how to enable more cost-effective public charging to allow for greater adoption of battery electric vehicles. Today, DC fast charging can be up to nearly three times more expensive than home charging, which disproportionately burdens those who rely on public charging. Toyota will also continue providing a portfolio of electrified vehicle options as part of the Beyond Zero vision, including four hybrid electric vehicles starting under US$31,000, two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and the all-electric Toyota bZ4X.
The third area Toyota will focus on is reducing emissions associated with vehicle charging. The company has already started working with WattTime, a non-profit organisation that recommends times to charge battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles when charging from the grid is forecasted to have lower carbon emissions or is likely to have a lower potential health impact over the long term to people who live near power plants. Additionally, Toyota's Clean Assist opt-in program allows US customers with an active Remote Connect trial or subscription and a Toyota or Lexus BEV, or Toyota or Lexus PHEV in California, to get 100% of their charge matched with renewable electricity.
Toyota will advance the implementation of its Empact vision on a per-project basis, with the first programs being announced later this year.
