Toyota and Eneos Partner for Hydrogen-Powered City Development

Toyota and ENEOS Collaborate on Hydrogen Fuel for Woven City

Toyota Motor Corporation has selected Japanese energy firm ENEOS as a key partner in the development of the hydrogen fuel cell system intended to power its innovative prototype city, Woven City.

A Fully Connected, Hydrogen-Powered Ecosystem

The ambitious plan for this 175-acre urban project envisions a completely interconnected environment where residents will live and work alongside Toyota’s latest advancements. These include its self-driving e-Palette shuttles and a variety of robotic technologies.

Woven Planet, Toyota’s subsidiary dedicated to innovation and leading the Woven City project, revealed on Monday that ENEOS, a major Japanese petroleum company with substantial investments in hydrogen technology, will contribute to realizing Toyota’s vision of a “human-centered” future city.

Strategic Partnership and Japan’s Carbon Neutrality Goals

This collaboration underscores Toyota’s commitment to hydrogen as a viable energy source, potentially surpassing electric alternatives. It also aligns with Japan’s national objective of achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2050.

The two organizations will jointly assess the practicality of a comprehensive hydrogen supply chain, encompassing production, distribution, and end-use applications. ENEOS will further refine its hydrogen production technologies to establish a completely carbon-free supply network.

Toyota’s Vision for a Hydrogen Society

“As Japan’s foremost integrated energy provider, ENEOS possesses invaluable expertise across the entire hydrogen value chain, from production to sales,” stated Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. “We are confident in their comprehensive understanding, which is crucial for our success.”

Toyoda further emphasized that achieving a hydrogen-based society necessitates not only technological advancements but also the seamless integration of all processes involved – production, delivery, and utilization.

Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle Strategies

Toyota is actively promoting hydrogen as a leading clean energy solution for the future. Despite this focus, the company currently offers a greater number of electric vehicles than hydrogen-powered models, having introduced three new electric vehicles this year.

The Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, received significant upgrades in 2021. The same technology is also utilized in the Kenworth T680 tractor. A Woven Planet representative indicated to TechCrunch that the incorporation of electric vehicles within Woven City remains a possibility.

ENEOS to Establish Hydrogen Refueling Station

As part of this partnership, ENEOS will leverage its experience in operating 45 commercial hydrogen refueling stations across Japan’s major metropolitan areas to construct a new station near Woven City.

“The operation of the hydrogen refueling station, to be built by ENEOS, is scheduled to commence by the end of the fiscal year 2023,” a Woven Planet spokesperson explained. “Toyota intends to progressively introduce fuel cell commercial vehicles, stationary fuel cell power generators, and other related equipment.”

Renewable Hydrogen Production and Research

ENEOS is also tasked with producing hydrogen derived from renewable sources. This will support the installation of stationary fuel cell generators within Woven City and facilitate collaborative research with Toyota on hydrogen supply strategies.

“We firmly believe that hydrogen energy will be pivotal in achieving global carbon neutrality,” said Katsuyuki Ota, president of ENEOS. “By collaborating with Toyota to fully explore hydrogen’s potential, we are confident in our ability to contribute significantly to the creation of innovative, hydrogen-based lifestyles.”

Woven City Construction and Investment

Construction of the Woven City site, located in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, at the foot of Mount Fuji, commenced in February. Subsequently, Toyota launched Woven Capital, a venture fund dedicated to investing in technologies that will shape the future of safe mobility.

Woven Capital’s initial investment was made in Nuro, an autonomous delivery company.

This article has been updated to reflect additional information provided by Woven Planet.