KATHMANDU: Mazda Motor has started a biodiesel trial for vehicle transport trucks in partnership with logistics company Nippon Express (NX). The move is part of its broader effort to reduce emissions beyond electric vehicles, writes NIKKEI Asia.
The trial began last month in Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan, covering a 12 km round trip between Mazda’s plant and a storage yard. Selected truck-trailers have switched from conventional diesel to a fuel blend containing about 51% hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). Mazda is covering the additional fuel cost during the test phase.
The project will run until the end of 2026. It aims to evaluate fuel efficiency, performance, operational challenges, and emission reduction. Mazda estimates the trial could cut around 40 tons of CO2, nearly half compared to regular diesel use.
Isuzu Motors is providing technical support, while an NX Group company supplies the biodiesel.
Mazda says biodiesel can be used in existing vehicles without major modifications. It also works with current refueling infrastructure, making it easier to adopt compared to full electrification.
The company plans to expand the initiative by increasing routes, vehicle numbers, and biofuel usage. It is also studying microalgae-based biofuel as an alternative, as waste cooking oil supply remains limited.
Japan is promoting biofuels at a national level. The government aims to make all new engine vehicles compatible with E20 fuel in the early 2030s.
Other Japanese automakers are also exploring alternatives. Suzuki is expanding ethanol-based vehicles in India, while Toyota continues to push hydrogen fuel technology for commercial use.
Mazda says it will continue working to establish biodiesel as a practical decarbonization solution for both logistics and the automotive sector.
