Toyota announces progress of efforts in the Super Taikyu Series

Toyota Motor Corporation revealed the progress of its efforts in the Super Taikyu Series at the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2022 Powered by Hankook Round 2 NAPAC Fuji SUPER TEC 24 Hours Race” (Fuji 24 Hours Race) to be held from June 3 to 5.

A year has passed since the hydrogen-powered Corolla raced for the first time last year at the “Super Taikyu Series 2021 Powered by Hankook Round 3 NAPAC Fuji SUPER TEC 24 Hours Race.” We would like to express our gratitude for the cooperation of many supporters and customers, including the Super Taikyu Organization.

Many supporters have come together with the same goal and passion for achieving carbon neutrality. Over the course of six rounds, including the Fuji 24 Hours Race this time, companies and municipalities that produce, transport, and use hydrogen and carbon-neutral fuel in the Super Taikyu Series have increased from the initial eight (as of May 22, 2021) to 24 (as of June 3, 2022). The challenges of producing, transporting, and using hydrogen and carbon-neutral fuels through racing have evolved over the past year, with more energy options, increased hydrogen transport, improved engine performance and cruising range, and reduced hydrogen filling times.

Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture (FH2R), Obayashi Corporation, Toyota Motor Kyushu Corporation, HySTRA – a joint venture comprising Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Iwatani Corporation and Power Development Corporation -, Fukuoka City, and Yamanashi Prefecture each produced hydrogen, which was used in the hydrogen-powered Corolla racing car as fuel.

Toyota Transport Corporation’s biofuel trucks and Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation’s (CJPT) FC light-duty trucks transported hydrogen to the circuit. In addition, lignite-derived hydrogen produced in Australia by Kawasaki Heavy Industries was transported by air on a trial basis and used as fuel for the hydrogen-powered Corolla with the support from Iwatani Corporation and J-Power Development Corporation.

Companies and municipalities that produce, transport, and use hydrogen and carbon-neutral fuels, which were connected through the Super Taikyu Series, are further accelerating their efforts to realise a carbon-neutral society even outside the race. Many actions of our supporters stem from the Super Taikyu Series and expand further.

Five Asian partner companies will join as sponsors of ORC ROOKIE Racing, aiming to boost motorsports in Asia: Hotai Motor Co., Ltd, GT Capital Holdings Inc., Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd., Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd and KUO International (private) Ltd.

It has started research and development to commercialise hydrogen engine vehicles, utilising the technology developed through racing. The engine is a three-cylinder turbocharged engine, the same as the hydrogen-powered Corolla running in the race, and is equipped with two compressed gas hydrogen tanks under the floor utilising MIRAI technology. While improving the hydrogen engine technology in the harsh motorsports environment, we will also develop the technology on the car body as well.

Aiming to improve the cruising range of the hydrogen-powered Corolla, we are continuing to take on the challenge of installing liquid hydrogen. The energy density of liquid hydrogen is higher than that of gaseous hydrogen, and if a hydrogen engine can be combined with liquid hydrogen, the cruising range will be closer to a gasoline-powered car, and hydrogen stations can be operated at about one-fourth the current size. The concepts of the “Mobile Liquid Hydrogen Station” and “Hydrogen Engine Corolla with Liquid Hydrogen” will be exhibited at the hydrogen filling area of the Fuji 24 Hours Race.