Toyota predicts diesel could be dead within a decade

Just as hydrogen cars and EVs begin to take over, one style of gas cars has faced a particularly damning era, as a Toyota exec has predicted that diesel could be dead within a decade.

EVs, by sheer nature of having quicker acceleration with their zippy motors, are now being considered powerhouses of the car industry.

Typically, the speedy whippets have become favorable hatchbacks and sports cars, only really faltering when it comes to the wheelhouse of a diesel: long-range driving.

But with remarkable improvements in new batteries and with hydrogen tech on the up, Toyota’s Sean Hanley claims the fascination with diesel will quickly become extinct.

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Toyota Sales Exec claims diesel could be dead, even in the most loyal catchments

Despite EVs being on the rise for years, the diesel-powered HiLux was the best-selling car in Australia in 2023. Just two years ago.

And it’s safe to say that it’s been an expert at long-range driving in that era.

But the RAV4 and Corolla are now rampant, as the ranges have begun coping with Australia’s widespread POIs.

With this turn of events in one of the countries with the longest driving habits in the world, Toyota Australia’s Sales and Marketing Vice President, Sean Hanley, said that he expects diesel to begin dying out soon.

Speaking to CarExpert, he claimed that diesel could be dead soon, and its reliant culture in Australia is preparing for the future.

“Not in the foreseeable future, but in the longer term, I can’t imagine diesel necessarily being a fuel of the future,” he said.

“The reality is a petrol [vehicle] can do everything it can do, plus some.”

Australian drivers could soon favor hydrogen cars over EVs

Hydrogen is already baked into the Toyota DNA.

Thanks to its flagship Mirai model, the Japanese brand is leading the way in this hyper-sustainable fuel, and it appears Toyota is looking at championing this around the globe soon.

In fact, Hanley claimed diesel will be done by 2035 and hydrogen will have completely taken over Australia.

“Diesel’s not going to go anytime in the next decade, but beyond that – I think hydrogen will take over diesel,” he continued.

“But in the 2030s, particularly that 2035 horizon, I truly believe hydrogen will be our future – and that’s where, I think, you might see a change of diesel technology … we’re setting up for that future.”

So, why the vastly underdeveloped hydrogen cars over EVs?

Well, he pins that down to affordability and range.

“Hydrogen’s clean, hydrogen has range, hydrogen infrastructure will be significantly better than what you have today, obviously. It’ll be more convenient, and it’ll be affordable,” the Toyota exec added.

Toyota’s hydrogen advancement appears to be ultra clean, which is a good advertisement for the brand.

So much so that one man in California was seen drinking the water straight from a hydrogen car’s tailpipe, and it was as clean as a whistle – although you still probably shouldn’t do that…

While diesel could be dead in a decade, its replacements seem to be fully prepared to carry the vacated burden, with much more range.

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