Seven-Eleven to use Toyota fuel cell trucks for deliveries next year

7-Eleven Japan and Toyota Motor Corporation have agreed on a joint project to reduce CO2 emissions.

The idea is to conserve energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the store’s distribution and business activities.

Toyota has been investigating the use of newly developed fuel-cell trucks and fuel-cell generators, and the project will be implemented in stages starting next year. It aims to introduce technologies and systems developed by Toyota for 7-Eleven store activities. Stationary fuel-cell generators (FC generators) and rechargeable batteries will be introduced at stores, managed centrally by building energy-management systems (BEMS), raising the proportion of renewable energy and electric power derived from hydrogen used. A newly developed small-fuel-cell truck will join the distribution process, aiming to achieve zero emissions of substances of concern, including CO2.

The Seven & I Group is addressing five key issues: Regarding non-wasteful use of products, ingredients and energy, the group seeks to expand renewable energy use in line with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN in 2015. Specifically, the group plans to increase renewable energy use in stores to 20 per cent and reduce CO2 emissions by 27 per cent. 7-Eleven is taking measures to reduce CO2 emissions throughout its entire supply chain to meet its goals, focusing on renewable energy.

In December, 7-Eleven opened the environmentally, user-friendly 7-Eleven Chiyoda Nibancho store as a flagship of these initiatives. The second such store, the 7-Eleven Sagamihara Hashimotodai Itchome, opened last month with renewable energy accounting for 46 per cent of its electric power use.

Toyota technologies and systems that use hydrogen will be introduced in stores and distribution sites, with next-generation stores further using renewable energy. Two small-fuel-cell trucks are intended to be introduced in Tokyo next year.