After announcing that it will run a trio of carbon neutral race cars at the Idemitsu Super Endurance Southeast Asia Trophy 2023 (Thailand 10-hour Endurance Race), all three Toyota vehicles run by the ORC Rookie Racing Team and CP Rookie Racing team managed to complete the race.
Leading the trio is the ORC Rookie Racing GR86 CNF (Carbon Neutral Fuel) concept which lapped the Chang International Circuit 289 times, securing fourth in the D2 class and fourth overall. Meanwhile, the CP Rookie Racing Prius CNF-HEV GR concept completed just 17 laps less (272 laps) enough for a sixth place in the D2 class and 11th overall. Finally, despite a stoppage of around two hours, the ORC Rookie Racing GR Corolla H2 concept lapped the 3.126-kilometer circuit 161 times, finishing eighth in its class and 55th overall.
As their official car names suggest, Toyota expanded the use of carbon-neutral options for fuel in the race. The GR86 and Prius use carbon-neutral fuel. The hydrogen engine Corolla partially uses hydrogen made with chicken manure-generated biogas from poultry farms run by Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group.
The CP Group is a Thai conglomerate based in Bangkok. It is Thailand’s largest private company and the largest privately held Royal Warrant holder of the Thai Royal Family. It has eight business lines covering 13 business groups including food, retail, automotive, and telecommunications. It is the third largest producer of poultry and pork in the world and the largest producer of feeds and shrimp.
After the race, chairman Akio Toyoda, also known as Driver Morizo, made the following comments.
“The message of participating in this race was to show hydrogen and hybrids as carbon-neutral options.Despite some trouble, we were able to complete the race. In addition to the hydrogen engine, which raced for the second year, I had the impression that the Prius and hybrid cars were well received by the Thai people this year.We are working together with CP to reduce CO2 emissions in Thailand by leveraging our respective areas of expertise. Mr. Kachorn, who participated as a Prius driver this time, loves driving, and the chairman, Mr. Soopakij, is also an avid driver. It was very meaningful that CP and Toyota were able to participate in the 10-hour Prius race together, and I think it allowed more people to learn about our activities.It is difficult for a single company to create a carbon-neutral movement and the future of mobility alone.People who produce, transport, and use energy as well as the people who make cars; I believe that if many people cooperate and take action, the number of like-minded partners will increase, and the landscape of the future will definitely change.Thai people positively support people who take action. I would like to live in a world where we all create the future together and support those who are working hard toward this aim.”
Toyota will continue its efforts to balance a multi-pathway approach to achieving carbon neutrality with “Fun to Drive” cars.
Toyota did not mention BEV
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