Five Automakers Share Their Collaborative Effort: A Joint Endeavor to Delight Auto Enthusiasts
**Super Taikyu Series Embraces Carbon-Neutral Future with Cross-Company Collaboration**
In a groundbreaking move towards a carbon-neutral (CN) society, five leading Japanese automakers - Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, and Honda - have joined forces in the Super Taikyu Series ST-Q class. The class, established in 2021, allows manufacturers to bring vehicles under development to the racetrack, nurturing Carbon Neutral (CN) technologies through motorsports.
The cross-company decarbonization efforts in the Super Taikyu Series ST-Q class are centred around a collaborative approach to develop and utilize low-carbon and carbon-neutral fuels. One such initiative involves blending plant-derived bioethanol with conventional gasoline, reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. This joint effort, led by ENEOS, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, and Toyota, marks a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality through motorsports.
The ST-Q class also features vehicles using carbon-neutral fuels, with the recent move to use domestically produced low-carbon gasoline signifying a shift towards local innovations in carbon-neutral fuel development.
Toyota is actively involved in hydrogen engine development, with its hydrogen-powered Corolla participating in the Super Taikyu Series for the fifth consecutive year. This commitment to carbon neutrality through alternative fuels is a testament to Toyota's dedication to the cause.
Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, on the other hand, are focusing on the development of low-carbon gasoline and its application in motorsports. Their involvement underscores a shared commitment to reducing carbon emissions through innovative fuel technologies.
While Honda races in the ST-Q class, it has chosen not to participate in the current low-carbon gasoline initiative. Instead, Honda is focusing on rebuilding its team and obtaining technical feedback from its limited racing schedule.
The collective goal is to create a carbon-neutral society through motorsports by advancing low-carbon fuels, promoting innovation, and public awareness. The Super Taikyu Series serves as a platform to raise public awareness about the importance of carbon neutrality and the role of alternative fuels in achieving it.
The participating companies use races as an opportunity to exchange information on decarbonization efforts, which have been named the "Super Taikyu Waigaya Club." The keyword for the Super Taikyu Waigaya Club, as proposed by President Takahashi, is "co-challenge."
The class began with the participation of ROOKIE Racing's GR Supra, and has since grown to include the hydrogen-engine Corolla, a Mazda Demio running on next-generation biodiesel, the Nissan Z Racing concept, and GR86 and Subaru BRZ running on the same CN fuel.
The joint challenge for the five car manufacturers, according to President Takahashi, is to "make car lovers smile." This sentiment is echoed by Mazda's Ikuo Maeda (Executive Fellow for Brand Design), who introduced the concept of a "co-challenge" at the 2022 Auto Salon.
In conclusion, the efforts in the Super Taikyu Series ST-Q class reflect a broader commitment to decarbonization and sustainability in the automotive industry. The cross-company collaboration is a promising step towards a carbon-neutral future, demonstrating the potential of motorsports as a platform for environmental sustainability.
- The collaborative approach in the Super Taikyu Series ST-Q class includes the development of low-carbon and carbon-neutral fuels, such as plant-derived bioethanol blended with conventional gasoline, which are aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the automotive industry and sports.
- The participating companies in the Super Taikyu Series ST-Q class, including Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, and Honda, are focusing on various carbon-neutral technologies, like hydrogen engines, low-carbon gasoline, and carbon-neutral fuels, as they strive to achieve carbon neutrality across the transportation and finance sectors.
