The future of motoring – SA hopes Toyota has made the right bet

Life is full of paradoxes. One of them is working its way out right now in the wake of "Dieselgate" – Volkswagen's deceit on emission levels of the cars it sold into the US. After their initial surge of schadenfreude, competitors have realise it wasn't just VW that is being hurt. The scandal is accelerating the slide of a century old industry based on the internal combustion engine, confirming that it has entered its final stretch.

Electric vehicles developed by Elon Musk's Tesla Motors have attracted a lot of attention, but battery powered vehicles is only one of the two new avenues options for the industry. The alternative is fuel cells, the technology championed by Toyota which last month launched its Mirai hydrogen-powered vehicle. Toyota, the world's biggest manufacturer, plans to have replaced all petrol and diesel engines with fuel cells by 2050.

It's like the old choice between VHS and Betamax. Motor manufacturers are taking bets on red or black – electric or fuel cells. And South Africa has an interest in both camps. Musk, the electric car pioneer, grew up in Pretoria, so carries a sentimental attachment. Fuel cells, on the other hand, promise to have a more direct impact on the country. Each engine requires an ounce of platinum, the wonder metal whose reserves are concentrated largely in this country. For pretty obvious reasons, South Africans should hope Toyota has backed the right horse.

From Biznews community member Cobus

*Dalk is dit die iets wat IMP en AMP nodig het om hulle koppe op te tel!*