Domestic Unveiling of Home-grown Low-Carbon Gasoline at Fuji 24-Hour Race in Auto-Japan Event
In a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions, a collaborative effort among fuel manufacturer ENEOS and four carmakers competing in the ST-Q class of the Super Taikyu series was announced at a recent press conference. The joint initiative aims to develop and use low-carbon gasoline, a blend of plant-derived bioethanol and conventional gasoline, in their vehicles.
The low-carbon gasoline, produced domestically in Japan, offers a renewable carbon source compared to fossil fuels as the bioethanol component is derived from plants that absorb CO2 during growth. This development marks a significant shift, as earlier carbon-neutral fuels used in the ST-Q class were foreign-made.
Mazda is one of the carmakers actively participating in this initiative. The company is running its Mazda Spirit Racing RS Future Concept MX-5 on an E20 low-carbon fuel blend (20% bioethanol) during the 2025 Super Taikyu Series, including the Fuji 24 Hours race. This provides a rigorous environment to evaluate the performance and viability of the fuel, with the goal of accelerating carbon neutrality efforts through motorsport technology development.
However, several challenges remain for low-carbon gasoline, including the lack of formal definition in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) and limited technical data both domestically and internationally. Addressing these issues is a key part of ongoing development.
The push for low-carbon fuels aligns with global and regional efforts such as California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, which are investing heavily in developing low-carbon fuels, including biofuels, to support decarbonization of difficult transport sectors.
Future plans for low-carbon gasoline in Japan include continued collaboration between fuel producers and automakers to refine the fuel blend and vehicle compatibility, leveraging motorsport like the Super Taikyu Series as a proving ground for performance data and consumer acceptance, addressing technical and regulatory gaps such as JIS classification and standardization, and expanding supply and adoption beyond niche racing to broader commercial use as part of Japan’s carbon-neutrality roadmap.
The Super Taikyu Fuji 24 Hours race serves as a critical platform for advancing Japan’s low-carbon gasoline technology from development to practical use, reflecting a multi-pathway strategy that includes liquid fuels alongside electrification and hydrogen. This positions Japan to reduce transportation emissions while maintaining current vehicle infrastructures during the transition to net-zero carbon goals.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. As car companies work hard to produce electric and hybrid vehicles, they are running out of places to refuel. ENEOS is addressing this issue by supplying synthetic gasoline for official vehicles on-site at the Osaka Expo and by conducting experiments with support from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to prepare for the future rollout of e-fuels.
While the use of gasoline is down 23%, the drop in gas stations is more than twice as large, at 47%. This underscores the importance of addressing the infrastructure challenges associated with the transition to low-carbon fuels.
In conclusion, the collaborative effort among ENEOS and the ST-Q class carmakers showcases Japan's commitment to reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector. The Super Taikyu series, with its ST-Q class for development vehicles, provides an ideal platform for real-world development and feedback for this emerging fuel. The race serves as a critical stepping stone towards a sustainable future for Japan's transportation sector.
- This joint initiative between ENEOS and carmakers in the ST-Q class of the Super Taikyu series, which aims to develop and use low-carbon gasoline, underscores Japan's commitment to environmental-science and addressing climate-change.
- The introduction of low-carbon gasoline, a blend of plant-derived bioethanol and conventional gasoline, aligns with global efforts, such as California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, to support decarbonization, particularly in difficult transport sectors, like automotive.
- The Super Taikyu Fuji 24 Hours race plays a significant role in validating the performance and viability of low-carbon gasoline, not only for motorsport but also for its potential application in the broader transportation industry.
- To overcome the challenges in the adoption of low-carbon gasoline, such as the lack of formal definition in Japanese Industrial Standards and limited technical data, there is a need for continued collaboration between the industry, finance, and technology sectors, including fuel producers, automakers, and regulatory bodies.
