Toyota Motor Corporation announced that all vehicles provided for the 102nd Tokyo-Hakone Collegiate Ekiden Championship, scheduled for January 2–3, 2026, will be electrified, marking a major step toward low-emission sporting events in Japan.
The iconic relay marathon, commonly known as the Hakone Ekiden, will be supported exclusively by battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). In addition, vehicles using internal combustion engines will run on plant-derived, low-carbon gasoline, significantly reducing carbon dioxide and exhaust emissions during the event.
With a history spanning more than 100 years since its founding in 1920, the Hakone Ekiden is one of Japan’s most prestigious sporting events. Toyota began supplying operational vehicles for the race in 2003 and has served as an official sponsor since 2011. Over the years, the company has progressively reduced the environmental impact of the vehicles supporting the race.
For the 2026 edition, Toyota will provide a total of 40 electrified vehicles. Key operational roles, including the race headquarters vehicle and joint camera truck filming leading runners, will be fulfilled by specially developed FCEV models. These hydrogen-powered vehicles generate electricity through chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water and operating with extremely low noise—an important benefit for athletes.
Transport and logistics vehicles will also shift to electrified options. FCEV Coaster buses will carry race officials and media personnel, while BEV e-Palettes will serve as medical and emergency response vehicles. Equipment and luggage transport will also be handled by electrified models, ensuring comprehensive coverage across race operations.
University team management vehicles will be HEVs operating on E10 gasoline, which contains 10% bioethanol. The fuel will be supplied by ENEOS Corporation and produced using ethanol derived from non-edible sorghum plants, further lowering lifecycle carbon emissions.
Toyota said the initiative reflects its multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality, offering a range of electrified technologies—BEV, HEV, PHEV, and FCEV—tailored to regional energy conditions and customer needs. The Hakone Ekiden, the company noted, provides an ideal platform to demonstrate how diverse electrified solutions can coexist in real-world use.
“Sports give people courage and touch their hearts,” Toyota said in a statement, adding that the company will continue supporting athletes while advancing sustainable mobility solutions that are both athlete- and planet-friendly.
The initiative aligns with Toyota’s “Beyond Zero” vision, which focuses not only on reducing environmental impact to zero but also on creating additional social value through cleaner, quieter and more sustainable mobility. The project contributes directly to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and well-being, affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, and life on land.
With the full electrification of its support fleet for the 2026 Hakone Ekiden, Toyota reinforces its commitment to carbon neutrality while showcasing how advanced mobility technologies can support major public events with minimal environmental impact.
