Let's talk about alternate fuels...

Hey everybody,

I've seen a couple threads regarding the new Tacomas in the future come out with a diesel option, and they all seem to end in the same consensus - it's not happening. However, I noticed that Nissan has, as of 2019, included a diesel option in their Frontiers. Since GM and Nissan both include diesel options in their mid-size pickups (and I haven't heard anything about Ford offering it in the Ranger - they just come with the 2.3L twin turbo), do you guys think Toyota will ever jump into the diesel market, or eventually pull the Hilux into the United States within the next 10 years? Maybe I'm just being too excitatory, but I would love a Hilux in the future, or at least a Tacoma with a Hilux engine.

Also, I'm torn between whether or not electric cars are ever going to become a big hit in the United States. I feel like if gasoline was $7, 8, 9 a gallon like it is in the rest of the world, it would open up a much bigger market, but I don't know if it will ever make a big touchdown in the US. However, many car manufacturers (Nissan [Leaf], Toyota [Mirai], Honda [Civic/Accord], and various other car makers) are moving toward electric and fuel cell vehicles as a way to eliminate the carbon output and make powering these cars a lot more efficient. After all, even today, a gasoline engine is only about 30% efficient. If they ever become a thing, would you guys ever consider an electric Tacoma? I know for a fact electric trucks won't be a big hit, but peak torque at 0rpm certainly is appealing to me, not to mention the amount of money I would save and the fact that I'm not emitting any CO2.

Truthfully, I've never been a big fan of conventional vehicles, so I'm curious as to what others think about alternate fuels for the Tacomas in the future. Can it ever become a thing? Let me know!

 

I don't think it's an engineering things so much as marketing - the Tacoma sell like mad so they don't need to diversify to keep the numbers up. Even if they had a diesel powertrain ready to roll today, they'd have to cannibalize petrol-truck production time just to squeeze in making the diesels even if the diesel sales demand were there. Unless the small truck market starts trending towards diesel as the dominant power plant, I think Toyota will keep on chugging along with the petrol versions and that's that.

I'm always interested in full electric vehicles. Toyota and Lexus were some of the forerunners (4runners? ha) in hybrid tech yet they are really holding back developing true full-electric powertrains. I think they're waiting for the market to develop and consumers to become more comfortable with electric transportation in general. They'll get there eventually, as everyone will, and I'm sure the quality will stay up. I'll miss my stick shifter though haha

 

I think it is possible (and likely) that Toyota will provide a diesel Tacoma in the near future, considering the way government fuel economy requirements are going. The biggest factor will be market demand and the cost/benefit (profit) factor. I just don't like diesels so I would not consider a diesel Tacoma... not right now.

Electric vehicles will definitely become the standard. It's just a matter of time until the technology is developed and free/cheap electrons become available at every corner... solar & wind generation, etc. (This over the next 25 years.) Yes I would definitely consider an electric Tacoma... the range and the time to recharge need to be improved. But I would consider it.

I don't think fossil fuels will ever "run out" but I think they will definitely fall out of favor, with government mandates and restrictions, etc. Fuel economy standards are just the first step.

 

When Electric vehicles become fully self sufficient plugging into AC power when you can.I would think about it.

The price of new trucks is expensive for Toyota to market a Tier 4 engine maybe in the Tundra I already have 2 Ford Diesels

I have been saving for a newer Truck seems the money is needed else where .