Environmental Leader

Using fiscal year 2002 as a baseline, by 2011 Toyota says it is targeting a 27 percent reduction energy consumed per vehicle produced.

Toyota’s North American manufacturing facilities consume about $147 million in energy a year, resulting in 1.1 million metric tons of CO2 emissions a year, according to Toyota’s North America Environmental Report (PDF).

Because of the economic downturn and decreased production at its North American plants, Toyota expects its FY 2009 energy consumed per vehicle produced to rise to 7.6 MMBTU/vehicle, up from 6.9 in 2008 (see chart).

Toyota expects to use 61,481 BTU per square foot in its facilities in 2009, down from 66,234 in 2008 and 70,769 in 2007.

As one of the ways the company is seeking to reduce emissions, the company touts its installation of a solar panel array at its Ontario, Calif., part center. Toyota says that is the second-largest solar panel array in the U.S.

Toyota succeeded in reducing energy consumption 16 percent at its Georgetown, Ky., plant. Since 2006, Toyota says 14 of its plants have received Energy Star awards.

Also, the company is using a water-borne paint system at plants in Princeton, Indiana, and Ontario, Calif., to lessen emissions of volatile organic compounds.

In its products, Toyota points out that the latest version of the Prius has optional rooftop-mounted solar panels and improved fuel efficiency, while the Lexus HS 250h uses “ecological plastics” in 30 percent of the combined interior and luggage areas.

In considering the lifecycle impacts of its products, Toyota says it has identified four environmental areas it is focusing on:

- energy and climate change

- recycling and reduced use of resources

- substances of concern

- air quality

In the past year, Toyota garnered promotional mileage for its hybrid models after some NASCAR races featured a hybrid Toyota Camry.

Toyota earlier this year was named one of the 100 most sustainable firms in the world.