IOC receives delivery of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicles from Toyota
A fleet of Toyota Mirai zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell cars was delivered to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today in Lausanne (Switzerland) as a key part of the organisation’s mobility plan.
The eight Mirai passenger cars – otherwise known as fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) – were unveiled on the eve of World Environment Day at Olympic House - the IOC’s new sustainability-driven headquarters which will be inaugurated on 23 June 2019.
Toyota, a Worldwide Olympic Partner, was represented at the handover event in Lausanne by Matt Harrison, Executive Vice President, Sales at Toyota Motor Europe, who was welcomed by Timo Lumme, Managing Director of IOC Television and Marketing Services, and Marie Sallois-Dembreville, the IOC’s Director for Sustainability.
To allow refuelling of the vehicles, a temporary hydrogen fuelling station – one of the first in Switzerland - will be installed at the new headquarters, before a public station is commissioned nearby. The station will produce and distribute hydrogen sourced from renewable energy to supply the IOC’s fleet of Toyota Mirai vehicles, as part of the organisation’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions.
Timo Lumme said, “As we approach the inauguration of Olympic House and look ahead to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in just over a year’s time, our mobility partnership with Toyota continues to break boundaries. Toyota’s sustainable mobility solutions will support ecological initiatives at Olympic House and across Switzerland, whilst delivering a legacy of sustainable transport in Olympic Games host cities and countries.”
Marie Sallois added, “Sustainability is at the heart of the Olympic Movement, and it is a key pillar of its strategic roadmap – Olympic Agenda 2020. Collaboration with Toyota, which shares the same vision towards future sustainable mobility, puts us in a better position to achieve this commitment. Today we are witnessing a milestone in our daily operations, while shaping the future of ‘green’ mobility worldwide.”
Matt Harrison commented, “Toyota’s aim is to ensure that hydrogen-powered mobility is at the heart of the Games in Tokyo 2020. The delivery of Mirai to the IOC reinforces our engagement to this technology as a vector for change.”
Johan van Zyl, Operating Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe added, “Hydrogen will play an important role for low-carbon sustainable society. We will continue to make our best effort towards a sustainable zero-emission society for ever better mobility for all, enhancing awareness and collaboration with other stakeholders.”
Having become the first-ever mobility partner of the Olympic Movement in 2015 and in line with Olympic Agenda 2020, Toyota is working with future Olympic Games organisers, including Tokyo 2020, to provide sustainable mobility solutions for the Games.
Toyota will support Tokyo 2020 with a large number of zero-emission FCEV such as the Mirai sedan for official use. In addition, the FC bus "Sora" as well as fuel cell forklifts made and sold by Toyota Industries Corporation, will help support the Games. As part of the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, Toyota aims to cut its global average carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles by 90 percent compared to 2010 levels.
Toyota’s hydrogen fleet is not the only sustainability feature of Olympic House, which includes some of the most rigorous energy, materials and water standards, while optimising the health and wellbeing of its users.