Toyota Receives the Zayed Future Energy Prize

In a somewhat uncommon achievement for a carmaker, the Japanese from Toyota received the Zayed Future Energy Prize during the four-day Future Energy Summit being held these days in Abu Dhabi. Created in honor of Sheikh Zayed, founder of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the prize recognizes Toyota's Prius as a main agent in the battle against climate change.

According to thenational.ae, Toyota has been chosen from those who entered the contest based on the "ground-breaking fuel-efficiency system of the third-generation Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle". A feat even more remarcable as Toyota had to battle no less than 300 entries from all areas of the industry.

“The calibre of entries has been phenomenal and the jury had tough choices to make in narrowing the selection down to three finalists," Sultan al Jaber, Zayed Future Energy Prize director told the source.

“The chosen finalists are recognised for their dedicated efforts towards creating a sustainable future for the world, and we are delighted to support them by providing a platform for global recognition and further innovation.”

The prize is worth $1.5 million and was presented at the Emirates Palace hotel by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Until now, the prize was usually won by smaller companies and even individuals. In 2009, Dipal Barua, managing director of Grameen Shakti, a company that promotes solar energy received the prize, while this year Toyota was followed by Shi Zhengrong, Suntech Power Holdings of China founder and Amitabha Sadangi, International Development Enterprises India head. They both received $350,000.