Toyota Motor Philippines used its TGR Philippine Cup race weekend at Clark International Speedway to test low-carbon biofuels in real racing conditions. The Vios race cars ran on an E20 bio-ethanol blend, while the Tamaraw trucks used a B5 coco-biodiesel blend. The company frames this as a rolling laboratory to evaluate performance, efficiency, and reliability of these fuels under extreme conditions. Toyota says about three-quarters of its gasoline models are already E20-compatible and all diesel models are B5-compatible. The initiative supports Philippine energy security by reducing petroleum imports and creates demand for locally grown sugarcane and coconut feedstocks. Toyota plans to share test results with government agencies to encourage broader public adoption of biofuels. The article highlights a multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality that includes diversifying both powertrain technologies and fuel sources. For the Philippines, this could mean a practical near-term carbon reduction strategy for the large existing fleet of internal combustion engine vehicles, rather than waiting for full electrification.
