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

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.

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. 

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?

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