| February 6, 2007 |
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Bureau of Environment, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Bureau of Transportation, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Nippon Oil Corporation
Hino Motors, Ltd.
Toyota Motor Corporation
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| Joint Project to Commercialize Second-Generation Biodiesel Fuel |
Tokyo—The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Nippon Oil Corporation (NOC), Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) announced today the start of a joint project aimed at commercializing bio hydrofined diesel (BHD), a second-generation biodiesel fuel.
On January 26 the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established a committee to promote carbon reduction within the city of Tokyo, beginning with its 10 Year Project for Carbon Reduction in Tokyo, which seeks the help of private companies and citizens in greatly reducing CO2 emissions. This project, which is being carried out in collaboration with NOC, TMC and Hino, is the first phase of a larger project that works together with progressive companies in promoting measures to fight global warming.
Since 2005, NOC and TMC have worked jointly on the development of BHD technology, and the project announced today will allow TMC and Hino to verify the superior environmental performance of BHD produced on a trial basis by NOC as a fuel for diesel vehicles. In addition, in 2007, Tokyo city buses will be used to demonstrate the effectiveness of BHD as a way to help counter global warming. At the same time, examination of a supply system in Japan for BHD will be carried out.
| 1. |
Project Name
"Joint Project on the Commercialization of a Second-Generation Biodiesel Fuel"
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| 2. |
Project Outline
The following initiatives will be carried out with the aim of promoting the commercialization of a second-generation biodiesel fuel that can be used in blends with diesel fuel above the 5% limit set by the Japanese Law on the Quality Control of Gasoline and Other Fuels.
1) Confirmation of the environmental performance of second-generation biodiesel fuel (BHD)
2) Verification test using city buses in Tokyo
3) Examination of a supply system in Japan for BHD |
At the same time that it is carrying out the project to commercialize a second-generation biodiesel fuel, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, without waiting for the commercialization of such fuel, is introducing a diesel fuel with a 5% blend of FAME*, a first-generation biodiesel fuel, in its city buses, starting in 2007, to take the initiative in curbing drastically increasing CO2 emissions from the transportation sector. An announcement will be made in the coming days regarding the public recruitment of FAME suppliers for Tokyo's buses.
* fatty acid methyl ester
See the attached document for an overview of the joint project.
Joint Project to Commercialize a Second-Generation Biodiesel Fuel (BHD)
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| 1. |
Verification Test of Bio Hydrofined Diesel (BHD)
A verification test, carried out with the help of fuel producers and automakers, which involves a number of Tokyo city buses and is intended to show the effectiveness of BHD as a new technology that merits commercialization in the near future.
- Two to three buses will be used in the verification test
- A blended diesel fuel with 10% BHD will be used
- Test scheduled for 2007
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Reference: The companies and governmental organization connected with the verification test and their respective roles are as follows:
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Fuel producer: Nippon Oil Corporation
- Fuel development, fuel production, fuel quality control, and fuel supply for vehicles used in the verification test
Automakers: Toyota Motor Corporation, Hino Motors, Ltd.
- Fuel development, pre-test study of fuel's effects on test vehicles, pre- and post-test evaluation of vehicle performance
Tokyo Metropolitan Government: Bureau of Transportation, Bureau of Environment
- Operation of vehicles in the verification test, assistance with fuel supply and maintenance inspections of vehicles
- Active PR to highlight the verification test, establishment of system for procurement of fuel sources
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| 2. |
Developments Following the Verification Test
Summarizing results of the verification test
- Summarizing and publicly announcing the results of BHD usage Examining the supply system in Japan
- Examining the procurement of fuel sources and BHD production |
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