Developing advanced low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicle technologies beyond 2010

Stringent emission regulations will be imposed on gasoline and diesel vehicles around 2010 in Japan, the USA and the EU. To comply with these regulations, automakers are being forced to develop ultra low-emission powerplants utilizing combustion, aftertreatment and fuel technologies. Beyond 2010, more emphasis should be placed on improvements in fuel economy and the use of renewable fuels to reduce oil dependence in the transportation sector, thereby mitigating global warming. The hybrid vehicle is a promising alternative option for significantly improving fuel efficiency. Fuel cell vehicle technologies, however, must overcome many difficult and uncertain issues before practical use is possible, although these vehicles possess favorable features and deserve fundamental research.