Latest News | 3 August 2021
Toyota cars to be exported by train which runs on used vegetable oil
Cars built at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Derbyshire plant are set to be exported on a train that runs on used vegetable oil.
It comes after DB Cargo UK announced plans to invest £2.6 million in new facilities at its depot in Toton, Nottinghamshire, to facilitate the export and import of Toyota vehicles.
The announcement was made during a visit to the site by Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris who was on a fact-finding mission to learn more about DB Cargo UK’s use of hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel in its diesel locomotive fleet.
Leon van der Merwe, vice-president of supply chain at Toyota Motor Europe, said: “As a company we are dedicated to making continuous progress towards carbon neutrality and this includes seeking ways to reduce emissions from manufacturing, vehicle use and logistics.
“By utilising this new rail freight multi-modal opportunity, we are helping to ensure our low emission hybrid electric vehicles built at our British Burnaston plant can be transported to our customers in an increasingly sustainable way.”
The investment will see the construction of a new vehicle storage compound and associated loading and unloading facilities on a disused section of the Toton site adjacent to an existing paint shop and stores.
Subject to planning approval, new services will start in January, with hybrid Corollas manufactured at Toyota’s Burnaston plant being exported to France and the Czech Republic.
Toyota Aygo, Yaris and the new Yaris+ vehicles will be imported on the return leg, to ensure full utilisation of the new services.
DB Cargo UK, which is currently the country’s leading transporter of finished automotive, said up to three trains per week are planned to depart from the new facility at Toton, each carrying up to 230 finished cars.
Andrea Rossi, chief executive at DB Cargo UK, said: “This is a really exciting collaboration between DB Cargo UK, Toyota and STVA, which will breathe new life back into redundant land at our Toton depot.
“It’s a win-win-win for STVA, Toyota and ourselves and will see us deliver an efficient and environmentally-friendly rail logistics solution for one of our most important automotive customers.”
“Each train will carry the equivalent load of around 23 road transporters.
“Our rail solution will not only reduce congestion on the UK’s road network but will also generate significantly less CO2 emissions than if they were taken by road.”
On his recent visit, Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris performed the official unveiling of the newly-named ‘I Am A Climate Hero’ locomotive, which will be used to transport the cars. It runs on greener fuel made from used vegetable oil.
He said: “We are boosting British business whilst cutting carbon. This is what building back greener is all about.
“Trains are one of the most eco-friendly ways to transport goods and DB Cargo UK is leading the way in making it even greener.”
