Toyota will roll out a fleet of approximately 3,700
vehicles for the 2020 Olympics, 90 percent of which will be electrified. The Japanese automaker says it
aims to achieve “the lowest emissions target level of any official vehicle
fleet used at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Following the reveal of the Accessible People Mover
(APM) specially designed shuttle, Toyota has released details about two models
modified for the Olympics: the e-Palette and Concept-i electric vehicles.
The e-Palette is battery-electric shuttle with Level
4 autonomous driving capability that supports smooth transport over short
distances. It features a low-floor and electrically-operated platform that
leaves little to no gap or opening between the curb and the bus at stops. As a
result, it’s designed to make travel easier for wheelchair passengers.
A dozen or more e-Palettes will be running on a
continuous loop within the Olympic and Paralympic Village, supporting the
transportation needs of staff and athletes. Each vehicle will have an operator
aboard to monitor the automated driving operation.
As for the Toyota Concept-i, it has been updated and
will be used as the operating vehicle at the Olympic torch relay and lead
vehicle in the marathon. Toyota will also demonstrate the Concept-i’s Level 4
autonomous driving and its functions, including the AI-powered “Agent
conversation.”
Out of the approximately 3,700 mobility vehicles for
Tokyo 2020, 2,700 vehicles will be part of the official fleet providing
transportation support between venues during the Olympic Games. Those will
include commercially-available vehicles, such as the Mirai, Prius PHV (known as
Prime in North America) and other models. Of the electrified vehicles provided,
approximately 500 will be FCEVs and approximately 850 BEVs.
