Toyota, firms start study to introduce carbon-neutral fuels in Japan by 2030

MANILA: Toyota Motor Corporation — alongside other companies — has started a study about introducing and spreading carbon-neutral fuel use in Japan by 2030.

According to the carmaker, its partners in the said study are Idemitsu Kosan Company, Limited, Eneos Corporation,  and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

Toyota’s role in the pilot project is not only in helping spread electric vehicles but also in reducing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of internal combustion engine-equipped automobiles.

Per Toyota, it introduced flex-fuel vehicles (vehicles that can run on both biofuels and gasoline) in Brazil sometime in 2007. Banking on its experience in producing cars that run on carbon-neutral fuels, the brand will continue to work on reducing the CO2 emissions of internal combustion engine vehicles — including existing vehicles — and will also consider the development of engines specifically designed for electrified vehicles that contribute to the spread of carbon-neutral fuels.

Even in motorsports, Toyota has been making strides in using race cars that run on eco-friendly fuels, such as the GR Corolla it fielded on the recently held leg of the Super Taikyu Series.

Relatedly, Toyota exec Akio Toyoda will soon head the organization behind the Super Taikyu races.

As for Idemitsu, Toyota noted that the petroleum refineries company is working on the social implementation of a steady supply of diverse, eco-friendly fuel. As part of its effort, the firm is seeking the early introduction and spread of carbon-neutral fuels ― synthetic fuels and biofuels ― while collaborating with various companies within and outside Japan.

Eneos, on the other hand, will take on the challenge of achieving both a stable supply of energy and materials and the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

The Japanese oil company is undertaking various initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including using hydrogen and renewable energy) and is carrying out business development of carbon-neutral fuels such as synthetic fuels.

Finally, MHI is actively working to build a CO2 solutions ecosystem and a hydrogen solutions ecosystem. It will use existing products, technologies, and services that help reduce CO2 emissions and even develop new solutions and innovations with partners around the world.

“Collaboration and partnership across industries are essential for the spread of carbon-neutral fuels toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society. As the first step in this direction, Idemitsu Kosan, Eneos, Toyota, and MHI will collaborate to undertake a study toward the introduction and spread of carbon-neutral fuels,” Toyota wrote in a press release.

Photos from Toyota and Eneos

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