As a key sponsor of the Paris Olympic Games next year, Toyota is deploying a fleet of zero-emission mobility solutions that must support athletes and auxiliary services. The aim is to reduce carbon emissions from transport at the Games by 50% compared to the previous edition in Tokyo, where the Japanese brand also attended as the preferred mobility partner.

Toyota announced it will operate a fleet of 500 Mirai models, which run on green hydrogen provided by French energy supplier AirLiquide. These vehicles, which will stay put after the Games to be added to the existing hydrogen taxi fleet in the French capital, get further support from 1 150 battery-electric cars from the brand’s range and 700 last-mile solutions from which 250 are European-developed zero-emission Accessible People Movers (APM).

Developed in Zaventem

The latter is called C+walk S and is of peculiar interest. Not only because of its eye-catching appearance with scooter looks, upgraded by a seat with armrests, but also because they have been finally developed by Toyota’s Belgian R&D department in Zaventem. The APM was already present at the previous Games, but Zaventem was tasked with modernizing and making the mover “more inclusive”.

In this case, inclusivity means that the APM must be suited to meet the mobility needs of athletes and visitors, audience, organizers, and wheelchair users. Next to reducing carbon emissions from transport at the Games by half, the Japanese brand wants to bring down barriers and make mobility a right for everyone. We mustn’t forget that the Paralympics follow the Olympic Games.

Goods and emergencies

“When everyone can move freely, we are one step closer to the inclusive and sustainable society Toyota wants to build. We share this vision with the IOC and the IPC. We want to support athletes so they can exercise their right to freedom of movement,” said Yoshihiro Nakata, President & CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

The APMs will serve as the main shuttles during the event at locations and the athlete’s village. Some will also be used for goods transport and as emergency vehicles.

The C+walk S is joined by the C+walk T, a personal transporter in the likes of Segway. There are still combustion engines in Toyota’s ‘Olympic fleet’, as the company also operates hybridized versions of the Yaris Cross, Corolla, Highlander, and RAV4.

The Olympic Games are traditionally a stage to promote pioneering and zero-emission mobility. Already back in 1976, BMW showed off two dedicated electric versions of its 1602 model, with lead batteries, serving as a shuttle for the athletes.