Toyota's Association with the Hanshin Tigers Sports Team
Toyota Unveils Electric Bullpen Car at Hanshin Koshien Stadium
In a fusion of tradition and innovation, Toyota has rolled out a battery electric vehicle (BEV) bullpen car at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, home of the beloved Hanshin Tigers baseball team. This development is part of Toyota's broader vision to promote electrification and reduce carbon emissions, even in niche and traditional contexts such as baseball stadiums.
A Nostalgic Ride with a Modern Twist
Bullpen cars have been a practical element of game pacing in professional baseball, transporting relief pitchers from the warmup area to the mound during pitching changes. However, the bullpen car at Hanshin Koshien Stadium is a rare sight in Japanese professional baseball and on the world stage.
The new BEV bullpen car preserves the nostalgic and cultural aesthetics that fans appreciate while aligning with modern technology and environmental responsibility. The vehicle, designed to be compact, quiet, and emission-free, was tailored to fit the specific needs of the stadium environment.
Addressing the Need for Extra Legroom
One of the key challenges in designing the BEV bullpen car was to accommodate the tall stature of pitchers. To solve this, the seat was raised, with three different heights proposed. The Hanshin Tigers opted for the highest setup, ensuring a 185cm pitcher wearing cleats could get on and off the bullpen car safely, as confirmed during a test in Toyota City.
A Creative Application of Electric Vehicle Technology
The C+pod, an ultra-compact BEV, was used for the project, despite not being originally intended as a convertible. Structurally strong enough to allow such a modification, the C+pod was the perfect choice for this unique application of electric vehicle technology outside typical road use.
A Collaborative Effort
Toyota partnered with the Hanshin Tigers to create this BEV bullpen car, a testament to the company's commitment to integrating eco-friendly technology into all facets of life and culture in Japan. Daisuke Ido, the Project General Manager of Mid-size Vehicle Company, oversaw the car's development.
A Step Towards Sustainable Operations
This development highlights Toyota's commitment to promoting sustainability in Japan and beyond. It also showcases a growing trend in sports venues worldwide towards sustainable operations and eco-conscious fan engagement. The project brought positive attention to the Hanshin Tigers by linking the team with sustainability efforts.
As Hanshin Koshien Stadium buzzes with excitement following the team's first league title in 18 years, the details of the BEV bullpen car's design that don't show up on TV screens will be explored in the next page. The second reason for the update was environmental concerns, as part of the KOSHIEN "eco" Challenge, the bullpen car was made into a BEV. The project was initiated in the fall of 2021, and the development time for the new bullpen car was about three months.
The BEV bullpen car at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, designed to align with modern technology and environmental responsibility, is a significant step in the sports world, specifically in Major League Baseball (MLB), as more stadiums are embracing sustainable operations.
With its compact, quiet, and emission-free design, the new bullpen car provides a nostalgic ride with a modern twist that reinforces Toyota's vision to promote electrification in niche and traditional contexts such as baseball stadiums, just as baseball itself is part of the MLB.
