BEYOND ZERO | Paths to the Future Episode1: A New Rhythm | Toyota
Sustainability has been close to my heart for a long time. As a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador and advocate for sustainable solutions, I believe it’s not just about talking about a greener world. It’s about taking action. I’m searching for what truly makes a difference. To discover the people, the ideas, and the places that are paving the paths to the future. This is what brought me to Pattaya. I love the people, the spirit, their desire to make a difference. The iconic songthaew, the local minibus, is a ride I take every time I return to Thailand. But this trip was different. The Thai icon has been reborn for the future. Quiet and without a drop of gas. I tracked down the engineers who made this possible. Hello! I’m an engineer at Toyota Motor Asia and I’m in charge of Hilux product planning. What exactly is the Hilux? If you look at the Hilux, it is just a pickup truck. But the Hilux is not just a pickup truck. I definitely see that, the Hilux is everywhere. It is extremely popular! What makes it so special and so well loved by the Thai people? I would say that Thailand is an agricultural and industrial country and the Hilux itself has been well received by many customers. Especially farmers. It’s economical, high quality and is known for its reliability. Even some locations in Thailand, especially in the mountain side, you will only see the Hilux bringing medicine and school supplies to the top of the mountain for the people living there. And no other passenger cars or SUVs can go there. So when we start approaching sustainability, we need to look into their culture and how they use their vehicles. The Hilux has been used nationwide and it’s a part of Thai culture already. It is quite evident that EVs are so well-received by the Thai people and in Thailand. The electricity fee in Thailand is still very affordable. So, many people are interested in electrification. Many customers love it. They’ve got their home charging stations. But in some areas, the charging stations are not ready. So we need to offer other alternatives. So the hybrid system is one of the solutions and is linked to the multi-pathway approach. The multi-pathway approach. So what exactly is this? We are looking into how people live and how they use their car, what are their demands and of course, we look into their culture. And now we try to offer a practical solution to meet each single demand. There is no one solution that fits all applications. That is a part of the multi-pathway approach. I heard that there is a Battery EV Songthaew. Yes, the Hilux EV is the first device in Thailand. It’s a combination between the Thai cultural icon with the upgrading of EV electrification technology. Do you want to take a ride on it? Sure, I’d love to. Let’s do it! Hello, come on aboard. Thank you. Hello. See you! My name is Punyawee. I’m working at Toyota Motor Asia, in the Product Development Division. I’m responsible for this vehicle. The Hilux Battery EV Songthaew, here. Yes, the famous songthaew! Can you describe it? Songthaew means “two benches.” As you can see here, we’re sitting on two benches and also, we have a roof here. So you can enjoy the fresh air during your ride on it. Songthaew is one of the public transportation widely used in Thailand. This is a part of Thai Culture. We have partnered with the Pattaya government to think about a greener mode of transportation here. We made the first fully Battery EV Songthaew for running around the tourist route. What do you think? It’s so quiet. It’s definitely a more peaceful ride compared to other vehicles on the road. Of course! This is also one of the reasons that the project is more successful here. Drivers said that they loved it very much because they can charge the vehicle in their home. No need to go to the gas station and the running cost is cheaper than diesel. I’ve really been loving the ride so far. So what is next when it comes to sustainability for Toyota? We didn’t just make a vehicle. We’re also considering new initiatives. Our team in Japan, they developed a new product from upcycled automotive waste. Upcycled automotive waste. I can’t wait to learn more. A true solution is about building something that feels like it has always belonged. A reflection of each region, a part of its rhythm. You don’t ask people to change their entire world. You just give them a better one, one small, effortless choice at a time. It isn’t just about what you create but about what you do with what’s left behind. The end isn’t an end at all. It’s a new beginning. Upcycling car waste into useful products… That’s a story I need to see first-hand. The next chapter starts in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture.
Warner Brothers Discovery presents: “Paths to the Future”
Toyota believes there are many pathways to a more mobile, more sustainable tomorrow, but uncovering these paths requires insight into diverse local cultures in every region as well as a deep understanding of how vehicles are used and what they mean to the people.
Taking a staple of Thai transportation, the Songthaew — a local minibus —and electrifying it is a bold yet natural step towards the future.
About “Paths to the Future”:
Antoinette Taus, an actor/singer passionate about environmental protection activities, journeys through Thailand and Japan. During her travels she discovers how sustainable innovation can be inspired by traditional wisdom and modern concepts.
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BEYOND ZERO | Paths to the Future Episode1: A New Rhythm | Toyota
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