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Energy crisis forces strategic transformation: Toyota (TM.US) plans to introduce hydrogen energy into parts logistics and factory supply chain

Energy crisis forces strategic transformation: Toyota (TM.US) plans to introduce hydrogen energy into parts logistics and factory supply chain

智通财经智通财经2026/09/04 00:16
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By:智通财经

As alternative fuels gain popularity following the Iran war, Toyota Motor Corporation is considering using hydrogen to power trucks that transport auto parts.

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Toyota Motor (TM.US) is considering using hydrogen to power trucks that transport auto parts, as the Iran war has driven up gasoline prices and tightened supplies, making alternative fuels more attractive.

Toyota Vice Chairman Koji Sato said in an interview that Toyota may eventually use hydrogen as an energy source in its factories. He added that promoting the use of hydrogen fuel in its suppliers' logistics network is also an option.

Hydrogen was once highly anticipated as a key energy source for achieving global carbon neutrality goals. However, due to high costs and inefficiency in production, storage, and transportation, hydrogen has faced obstacles to widespread adoption. At the same time, hydrogen fuel cell passenger cars have struggled to sell in Japan, forcing officials and executives to turn to more practical approaches by focusing on the commercial vehicle sector.

According to data from the Hydrogen Council and McKinsey & Company, as of July 2025, global committed investment in clean hydrogen has exceeded $110 billion, an increase of $35 billion from a year earlier.

Sato’s plan is part of Toyota's commitment as a member of the Japan Hydrogen Association (JH2A), aiming for hydrogen to account for 1% of all logistics, fuel, and raw material delivery volumes. As of last month, 67 companies and organizations had joined the initiative, including banks, trading companies, insurance firms, and local governments, reflecting the increasing momentum for the broader adoption of hydrogen.

For many years, Toyota has treated hydrogen on equal footing with internal combustion engines, hybrid vehicles, and pure electric vehicles as key options, as part of its "multi-pathway strategy," rather than transitioning entirely to battery-powered cars.

But so far, these efforts have yet to achieve a breakthrough.

Japan was the first country to formulate a national hydrogen strategy, setting ambitious goals, including having 200,000 fuel cell vehicles on the road by 2025 and 800,000 by 2030.

However, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, by March 2025, there will be fewer than 8,300 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles operating on Japanese roads.

Since the Middle East conflict broke out in February this year, energy security has become a key issue for Japan, with the conflict causing supply shocks to the auto industry. Sato stated that hydrogen was previously promoted primarily in the context of emissions reduction, but now it is gaining attention from the perspective of energy security.

He said a clear shift is taking place, “from acquiring energy to producing energy ourselves.” He added that under this trend, all parties are advancing relevant initiatives to firmly incorporate hydrogen into the national framework to enhance resilience.

Collaboration

Sato, who is also President of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, said that in the face of global industry upheaval driven by Chinese brands, changing consumer demands, and protectionist policies, Japanese automakers must change their approach to remain competitive. Koji Sato served as Toyota CEO from 2023 until earlier this year, after which Kenta Miyazaki took over.

Koji Sato said, "We can no longer act alone," "We need to deliberately seek ways to collaborate."

Since becoming head of the industry association, Sato has led the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association in efforts to standardize parts among carmakers to streamline production and reduce costs.

Japanese automakers source about 70% of their parts from other manufacturers, and their respective unique quality control and safety standards often burden suppliers, leading to wasted time and increased costs.

"This makes it difficult to break away from the labor-intensive industrial model," Sato said.

Sato stated that by reducing the variety of parts, suppliers can improve productivity through automation, "and the entire industry can enjoy the benefits of our efforts."

Regional Focus

Sato said there is a consensus among industry leaders that the old way of making and selling cars may no longer work, and the key lies in developing products tailored to the specific needs of each region.

Automotive analyst Tatsuo Yoshida stated, "Rather than going it alone, now more than ever it is necessary to rethink the boundaries between competition and cooperation."

Japanese automakers have been quickly losing ground in China, the world's largest auto market, as they struggle to compete with a wave of technologically advanced and affordable electric vehicles. While the enduring popularity of hybrid vehicles has allowed Toyota some breathing room, other firms have been forced to either scale back or join forces.

Earlier this week, Honda Motor Company and Nissan Motor Company agreed to jointly develop key software for their next-generation vehicles. According to a spokesperson, Mitsubishi Motors—already a strategic partner of both companies—also hopes to join this software partnership eventually.

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Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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