Automotive carbon-neutral-fuels study begins

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI), along with Toyota Motor Corp, Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd, and Eneos Corp, have instigated a study relating to the ‘introduction and spread of carbon-neutral fuels that contribute to the decarbonisation of automobiles with the aim of realising a carbon-neutral society’. The four companies say they will be fulfilling major roles respectively in supply, technology, and demand, and seeking to introduce carbon-neutral fuels in Japan around 2030.

Carbon-neutral fuels, those that limit CO₂ emissions across the entire product life cycle, 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. The companies say that 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.

The scope of the joint 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”.

The Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosanis is seeking the early introduction and spread of carbon-neutral fuels — synthetic fuels and biofuels — while collaborating with various companies within and outside Japan. Another Japanese petroleum company, ENEOS says it will be undertaking various initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including using hydrogen and renewable energy and carrying out business developments of carbon-neutral fuels.

Meanwhile, Toyota is working toward carbon neutrality, not only through the spread of electrified vehicles but also by reducing the CO₂ emissions of internal combustion engine vehicles; it is also considering the development of engines specifically designed for electrified vehicles that contribute to the spread of carbon-neutral fuels. MHI Group, among other activities, is working to build a ‘CO₂ solutions ecosystem and a hydrogen solutions ecosystem’, and so ‘contribute to realising a carbon-neutral society’.