Toyota, oil company Idemitsu Kosan and two other Japanese companies said Monday they have launched a joint investigation into the introduction and promotion of carbon-neutral fuels for cars.
With the aim of introducing these fuels around 2030, the four companies – including oil company Eneos and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – will consider mass production methods and related systems.
Specifically, the four will jointly explore ways to commercialize ‘e-fuels’, or synthetic fuels produced from hydrogen and carbon dioxide, refined with renewable energy, and plant-based biofuels.
Toyota will also independently develop engines that can use such fuels efficiently.
Carbon neutral fuels have the potential to be used in existing motor vehicles. Refueling times are as short as gasoline, while electric vehicles require long charging times.
Given these benefits, Toyota sees carbon-neutral fuels as a promising tool to advance automotive decarbonization.
