Toyota is one of four companies in the Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) seeking to accelerate carbon neutrality in Asia’s commercial vehicle space

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BANGKOK, THAILAND

As hybrid (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) continue gaining momentum in the consumer market, the Toyota Motor Corporation is also striving to apply the learnings gained from electrified vehicles in the commercial sector through the Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT).

Formed in 2021 as a collaborative partnership between four automotive marques (Toyota, Suzuki, Daihatsu and Isuzu), the CJPT is actively finding inroads to accelerate and achieve carbon neutrality by decarbonising the transport and logistics sector wherever possible.

The CJPT intends to find the right mix of vehicles that are best suited for the usage trends and mobility needs of various Asian regions by leveraging energy solutions, data solutions and mobility solutions in the various countries. And it all begins in Thailand, which incidentally was where we found ourselves for CJPT’s Carbon Neutrality mobility event earlier last week.

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Held at the Toyota ALIVE Space just a few kilometres southwest of Bangkok's bustling city centre, the carbon neutrality mobility test drive event gave us first-hand experience with some of CJPT’s CN mobility vehicles and allowed us to learn more about how the company intends to improve the lives of people through Toyota’s “Multiple Pathways” approach to decarbonisation.

Now, the term “Carbon Neutrality” has been a highly debated topic in recent years. In essence, it refers to the reduction/removal of carbon emissions (CO2) by way of eliminating emissions or carbon offsetting. The latter is typically achieved through the use of renewable energy sources. Think geothermal energy, hydroelectric plants or wind turbines. Basically, net zero carbon emissions.

However, Toyota and the CJPT’s current carbon neutrality solution isn’t to develop a full suite of carbon-neutral commercial vehicles. Instead, the consortium’s “Multiple pathways” solution will comprise a mix of various powertrains: small displacement engines, liquefied natural gas (LNG), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

In the broad scope of carbon neutrality (CN), having a mix of CN solutions coupled with conventional fossil fuels may be a baffling concept to some. However in the real world, there is no “one size fits all” solution where CN is concerned, nor is there an instantaneous fix for achieving net zero carbon emissions. 

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At the event, Mr Pras Ganesh, executive VP of Toyota Daihatsu and Asia region management CJPT mentioned that in most markets, we are still heavily dependent on fossil fuels such as coal and gas, which are primarily driving Asian markets.

“In terms of the renewable energy ratio, governments have very ambitious targets but that mixture Is still primarily fossil fuel oriented”, said Mr Pras Ganesh, “We do not believe that one solution is better than the other, and having multiple solutions are appropriate. Such as smaller ICE cars, if they are low-carbon emitting vehicles, especially for last-mile delivery, are an excellent solution that can be used today. Immediately.”

Page 2: So what are the CN solutions that can be adapted for Singapore’s use?

Page 1: How does the Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) plan to achieve carbon neutrality?

“Depending on the loading capacity, the weight of the vehicle and the driving distance, different solutions make sense,” said Pras, “We believe that multiple solutions are appropriate, and we’re trying to show that each of these solutions can actually achieve decarbonisation or reduction of carbon depending on the usage and requirements of these vehicles.”

So at present, the key to achieving carbon neutrality is in identifying the specific links in the supply chain where alternative powertrains can be embedded with the least disruption to the status quo in the respective regions. In a Singaporean context, we found the following vehicles to be best suited to our Singaporean way of life.

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Toyota LPG-HEV Taxi Concept

The Toyota LPG-HEV Taxi Concept, or “Thai taxi” as it’s badged, is perhaps the most efficacious approach to CN mobility in Singapore. Essentially, it’s a hybrid vehicle that just happens to run off LNG. Hybrids and LNG engines aren’t foreign concepts in Singapore, and the combination of both presents itself as a feasible alternative for the petrol-hybrid taxis we’ve grown accustomed to.

It also helps that the taxi concept is rife with features designed to make a cabbie’s life much, much easier. Notice the sliding door on the passenger side, large hazard button on the steering wheel, fender-mounted wing mirrors and enlarged grab handles. 

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ISUZU & Toyota FCEV Light Duty Truck

Presently, Singapore has no hydrogen filling and refuelling capabilities to speak of, so it would be some time before this FCEV truck sees work in Singapore. Perhaps when hydrogen vehicles become more prevalent on a global scale.

But from a CN mobility standpoint, utilising a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain makes perfect sense. It’s an element that the world has an abundance of, and it can be extracted from various sources - even from chicken manure-derived biogas.

Toyota is no stranger to using hydrogen as a means of propulsion, having used it in the ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 concept (that’s hydrogen combustion) and the Toyota Mirai. The versatile element could even be used in other areas like the power sector as a low-carbon solution or even as fuel for a small barbeque pit, which does work as advertised.

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SUZUKI EVERY small van

With no electrified powertrain to speak of, one may wonder where the Suzuki Every slots into CJPT’s CN mobility plans. But as CJPT’s president, Hiroki Nakajima said, “We would like to contribute to improving the quality of life of people in Asia with various low-fuel consumption and high-efficiency vehicles, including small (Kei) ICE vans, HEVs, BEVs, and FCEVs.”

To that end, the Suzuki Every’s 660cc engine could be considered a high-efficiency vehicle. A small displacement van with rather generous storage capabilities that can accommodate 25 times more cargo than a moped. By all accounts, that qualifies as “high-efficiency” in our book.

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At present, the world of future mobility is still a highly adaptable landscape, immensely fluid and susceptible to changes as manufacturers scramble to seek low-emission mobility solutions. But it’s a matter of widespread adoption and the efficacy of such systems that determine a company’s success in carbon-neutral mobility. 

In the case of the Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT), it’s not a permanent fix to achieve carbon neutrality. But it represents a big step in the right direction toward reducing our carbon footprint. 

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