Idemitsu Kosan, ENEOS Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have commenced a study toward the introduction and spread of carbon-neutral fuels that contribute to the decarbonization of automobiles with the aim of realizing a carbon-neutral society. Seeking to introduce carbon-neutral fuels in Japan around 2030, the four companies fulfilling major roles respectively in supply, technology, and demand will jointly embark on this study.
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.
What are carbon-neutral fuels?
Carbon-neutral fuels are fuels that limit CO2 emissions across the entire product life cycle. It is a collective term that includes synthetic fuels (e-fuel) made using hydrogen and CO2, and biofuels made from raw materials such as plants that absorb CO2 via photosynthesis. Liquid carbon-neutral fuels in particular are advantageous in terms of energy storage and transportation and are suitable as energy sources that can be transported.
Scope of the joint study
The scope of the four-company study is to discuss and study scenarios and roadmaps for the introduction of carbon-neutral fuels in Japan’s automobile market and the various systems necessary for market introduction, and investigate the feasibility of production from perspectives such as energy security in Japan
Idemitsu Kosan’s Vision for 2050 calls for social implementation of a steady supply of diverse, eco-friendly ‘Energy one step ahead’ that forms one of the three business domains stated in its Medium-term Management Plan. As part of this effort, it 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 Group’s Long-Term Vision states that it will take on the challenge of achieving both a stable supply of energy and materials and the realization of a carbon-neutral society. It is undertaking various initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including using hydrogen and renewable energy and carrying out business development of carbon-neutral fuels such as synthetic fuels.
Centered on a multi-pathway approach, Toyota is working toward carbon neutrality not just through the spread of electrified vehicles, but also by reducing the CO2 emissions of internal combustion engine vehicles. In 2007, it introduced flex-fuel vehicles (vehicles that can run on both biofuels and gasoline) in Brazil. Going forward, it 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.
The MHI Group, which plans to go carbon-neutral in 2040, is actively working to build a CO2 solutions ecosystem and a hydrogen solutions ecosystem.