Toyota Shifts Hydrogen Focus to Commercial Logistics and Factories

Toyota Motor Corp. is considering the deployment of hydrogen power for its factories and the trucks used to transport auto parts. Vice Chairman Koji Sato stated that the shift is driven by energy security concerns following supply shocks and rising gasoline prices resulting from the Iran war.

This strategy aligns with the company's multipathway approach to carbon neutrality. Toyota has committed to the Japan Hydrogen Association to use hydrogen for 1% of all raw material deliveries and logistics. While hydrogen fuel-cell passenger cars have struggled in the Japanese market, the company is now prioritizing commercial vehicles.

Beyond fuel, Sato is using his role as chair of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association to advocate for the standardization of parts among Japanese carmakers. He argues that this cooperation is necessary to reduce costs and increase productivity to better compete with Chinese brands.