Toyota and Thai partners: Making progress towards carbon neutrality

BURIRAM (Thailand): Toyota Motor Corp’s CEO of Asia Region, Masahiko Maeda, is quite optimistic about further progress in accelerating collaborations towards achieving carbon neutrality in Thailand.

“Oil producers are now actively looking at e-fuels or synthetic fuels, and multiple energy solutions. The tide has turned. Nobody was talking about hydrogen in Thailand two years ago. Interest in renewable energy sources has increased greatly since then,” he said on the sidelines of the 2023 Thailand 10-hour Endurance Race at Chang International Circuit.

His optimism is quite understandable, given the tangible results achieved by Toyota and partners such as Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group in only a year.

In December 2022, both companies said they would explore collaborating in hydrogen production using biogas derived from poultry manure, as well as the introduction of hydrogen-powered fuel cell delivery trucks into CP’s fleet, as well as more efficient logistics by optimised delivery routes through connectivity technology.

Maeda pointed out that the collaboration has three areas of focus on solutions – data, mobility and energy.

“Regarding data solutions, we optimised delivery routes for goods and this system is now used by Makro cash-and-carry stores (owned by CP Group). We have seen a 16% increase in efficiency. This is how we can support business activities,” he said.


On mobility solutions, Maeda said Toyota has a line-up of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric (FCEV) heavy-duty trucks, smaller vans which offer low fuel consumption, and even hybrid powertrains.

As for energy solutions, he spoke about hydrogen production using biogas generated from poultry manure on farms owned by CP Group.

The biogas, compressed in cylinders, are transported to a SMR (steam methane reforming) facility in Toyota Daihatsu Engineering and Manufacturing Co (TDEM) in Bangkok, where 2kg per day of hydrogen is produced, from 30kg per day of biogas.

“We use renewable energy from natural resources in Thailand to produce hydrogen for FCEVs and even race cars,” he said.

He also noted that in December last year, Toyota, CP Group, True Leasing (TLS), Siam Cement Group (SCG), and Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corp (CJPT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding collaborations on achieving carbon neutrality.

CJPT members are Toyota, Isuzu, Suzuki, Daihatsu and Hino and the consortium aims to further accelerate cross-industry efforts to resolve logistics issues, as well as improve social infrastructure and safety in Japan and Asia.


Meanwhile, Toyota also showcased its impressive range of low and zero-emission, renewable energy powered mobility solutions during the race.

Toyota LPG hybrid taxi concept

A fleet of Toyota LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) taxi concepts were at the race to ferry guests and participants.

Like Toyota's JPN Taxi which appeared at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show 2017, the hybrid powertrain combines electric power with LPG.

The Thai edition of the LPG hybrid taxi was also at the 2023 44th Bangkok International Motor Show.

With a large electric sliding door and Toyota Safety Sense features, the LPG HEV taxi concept focuses on both comfort and safety.

Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition

This Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) concept Prius pays tribute to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and its role in Toyota s development of racing hybrid technology since 2012.

In line with Toyota's vision of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, the concept brings motorsport styling to the Prius, and features performance aerodynamic parts (side skirts, canards, large rear wing, rear diffuser), inspired by TGR's World Endurance Championship-competing GR010 hybrid.

Features include a lightweight carbon-fiber hood, wide-track suspension, 235/50 R18-inch tyres, exclusive aerodynamic wheels, as well as multi-headlamps for improved nighttime visibility.

Fuel cell (FC) electric drone

A hydrogen-powered fuel cell (FC) electric drone to improve agricultural production is another step towards a carbon neutral society by Toyota and CP Group.

The small prototype FC drone has successfully been used across CP farms in support of seeding, the fertilization of crops as well as other agricultural tasks.

In 2024, a larger mid-sized prototype FC drone will be developed.

Prototype all-electric Hilux (converted from ICE)

A prototype all-electric Hilux pick-up truck can achieve 200km range on average in actual daily usage, says a Toyota Tsusho (Thailand) Co Ltd spokesman.

This all-electric prototype, fitted with a 41.5kWh lithium-ion battery, was converted using a conventional diesel engine unit.

The Hilux prototype has a WLTC range of 245km, and supports AC charging (7kW) and fast DC charging (40kW).

Fuel cell (FC) forklift

On display is a first-generation hydrogen powered fuel cell (FC) forklift which is a 2.5-tonne, four wheeled unit launched in 2016.

Hydrogen refuelling takes only 3 minutes, and the FC forklift can operate for 8 hours.

This results in much higher efficiency and productivity compared with all-electric forklifts.

The second generation 1.8-tonne, three wheeled fuel cell forklift, launched in 2023, offers higher durability, and double the operating lifespan (to 20,000 work hours or 10 years).

Toyota Hilux Champ

The Toyota IMV 0 (Zero) pickup truck or Hilux Champ, was once again the safety car at the 2023 Thailand 10-hour Endurance Race.

At its launch in Thailand in November 2023, Toyota introduced 11 customised versions of the 2-seat Hilux Champ.

The engines are a 2.0-litre petrol engine, a 2.7-litre petrol engine and a 2.4-litre diesel engine.

Highlighting its ability to be customised easily, the IMV 0 truck features a deck with bolt holes at multiple locations, allowing easy attachment of custom accessories using bolts and nuts.