#Carbon Neutrality #Yachiyo Engineering #Toyota Mobility Foundation

Promoting Carbon Neutrality through Emission Forecasts

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), led by Chairman Akio Toyoda, is taking significant steps to help local governments achieve their goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Beginning in 2024, TMF will focus on assessing CO₂ emissions from cars while considering the proliferation of next-generation vehicles and the fuel production process. Recently, in collaboration with Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd., led by President Tsutomu Takahashi, these findings were presented at the 72nd Civil Planning Research Conference, Autumn Session.

Research Overview

This study established a method for estimating CO₂ emissions, not only for traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles but also for next-generation vehicles, such as hybrid cars, battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). A quantitative evaluation of measures to alleviate traffic congestion and convert to next-generation vehicles is now possible. This method was applied to three specific regions: Shunan City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Itoshima Peninsula in Fukuoka Prefecture, and Kinko Town in Kagoshima Prefecture, leading to a solid quantitative assessment.

Future efforts will aim to enhance the precision of these estimates by incorporating more detailed data, such as actual driving patterns of next-generation vehicles. By using this method, various carbon neutrality initiatives can be compared and evaluated, assisting municipalities in selecting the best strategies.

Background and Development

The Japanese government's declaration of carbon neutrality by 2050 in October 2020 has heightened interest in reducing CO₂ emissions in the transportation sector. Many local governments are actively creating plans; however, traditional methods for calculating CO₂ emissions face challenges regarding the proliferation of next-generation vehicles, the inclusion of fuel production processes, and the refinement of quantitative evaluations for these measures. Therefore, this research systematically organized a methodology that considers these key aspects to provide municipalities with a clear basis for their carbon neutrality policies.

Key Elements of the Emission Estimation Methodology

1. Fuel Production Process: By including emissions from refining, transporting, and supplying fuel—not just emissions during driving—this methodology allows for a fair comparison across diverse fuel types.
2. Impact of Travel Speed on CO₂ Emissions: The study assessed how CO₂ emissions fluctuate with changes in travel speed, particularly the increase in emissions due to traffic congestion at lower speeds and the minimum emissions at optimal speeds.
3. Regional Vehicle Type and Fuel Structure: Using the AI image analysis system