SORABITO Starts Proof of Concept for Construction Vehicle Sharing Utilizing ENEOS Service Stations
SORABITO and ENEOS have launched a PoC for a 24-hour unmanned construction vehicle sharing service using ENEOS service stations to address the 2024 problem.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 9, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 09:57 (263h 25m after Collected)
SORABITO Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazuaki Hakata; hereinafter "SORABITO"), which has the vision of "co-creating an ecosystem for working machines," has collaborated with ENEOS Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President & CEO: Atsushi Yamaguchi; hereinafter "ENEOS") to start a new construction vehicle rental proof of concept (PoC) utilizing ENEOS brand service stations (hereinafter "SS").
This initiative aims to build a new business model that allows rental companies to open 24-hour unmanned vehicle rental hubs using the existing SS network without having to establish their own bases.
## Background and Purpose
Currently, there is an urgent need to improve productivity in the construction and logistics industries due to the "2024 problem," and there is an increasing need to procure vehicles close to construction sites. On the other hand, for rental companies, the costs of securing land and assigning personnel associated with opening new branches are major challenges. SORABITO received investment from ENEOS Holdings, Inc. (*1) in April 2025 and has been discussing the possibility of collaboration to solve issues in the construction industry. (Reference: https://www.sorabito.com/press-20250423/) As part of these efforts, we are starting a PoC of a new car-sharing-type unmanned vehicle rental service of SORABITO using ENEOS's SS network spreading nationwide.
(*1) ENEOS Holdings, Inc. invests through ENEOS Innovation Partners LLC.
## Overview of the Proof of Concept
In this initiative, a rental company that owns vehicles utilizes a section within an ENEOS SS as a "Rental Spot" to hand over and return vehicles to customers in a car-sharing format.
**1. Benefits for both Users and Rental Companies**
Users will be able to rent vehicles even at night, on weekends, and on holidays, without being bound by the business hours of traditional rental companies. In addition, since vehicles can be picked up at an SS close to the site, a reduction in travel costs and an improvement in convenience are expected. On the other hand, partnering rental companies can realize unmanned nighttime and weekend lending in response to the recent demand for work-style reforms, making it possible to develop highly reliable, community-based branches.
**2. Streamlining Inspection Tasks by Utilizing SS Maintenance Functions**
Conventionally, when a rental company operates car sharing (unmanned lending) in a remote location, the labor required for dispatching staff and transporting vehicles for vehicle inspections has been a major challenge. In this PoC, utilizing the strength of SSs which have vehicle inspection and maintenance functions, daily inspections and cleaning of rental vehicles will be carried out. Rental companies can maintain high-quality vehicle conditions even at remote locations. This allows rental companies to achieve high-quality vehicle management without moving the vehicles, verifying a model that balances operational efficiency and the maintenance of vehicle quality.
## PoC Starting Location
The service has started at the following SS:
- Mitani Service Engine Co., Ltd. Dr.Drive
This initiative aims to build a new business model that allows rental companies to open 24-hour unmanned vehicle rental hubs using the existing SS network without having to establish their own bases.
## Background and Purpose
Currently, there is an urgent need to improve productivity in the construction and logistics industries due to the "2024 problem," and there is an increasing need to procure vehicles close to construction sites. On the other hand, for rental companies, the costs of securing land and assigning personnel associated with opening new branches are major challenges. SORABITO received investment from ENEOS Holdings, Inc. (*1) in April 2025 and has been discussing the possibility of collaboration to solve issues in the construction industry. (Reference: https://www.sorabito.com/press-20250423/) As part of these efforts, we are starting a PoC of a new car-sharing-type unmanned vehicle rental service of SORABITO using ENEOS's SS network spreading nationwide.
(*1) ENEOS Holdings, Inc. invests through ENEOS Innovation Partners LLC.
## Overview of the Proof of Concept
In this initiative, a rental company that owns vehicles utilizes a section within an ENEOS SS as a "Rental Spot" to hand over and return vehicles to customers in a car-sharing format.
**1. Benefits for both Users and Rental Companies**
Users will be able to rent vehicles even at night, on weekends, and on holidays, without being bound by the business hours of traditional rental companies. In addition, since vehicles can be picked up at an SS close to the site, a reduction in travel costs and an improvement in convenience are expected. On the other hand, partnering rental companies can realize unmanned nighttime and weekend lending in response to the recent demand for work-style reforms, making it possible to develop highly reliable, community-based branches.
**2. Streamlining Inspection Tasks by Utilizing SS Maintenance Functions**
Conventionally, when a rental company operates car sharing (unmanned lending) in a remote location, the labor required for dispatching staff and transporting vehicles for vehicle inspections has been a major challenge. In this PoC, utilizing the strength of SSs which have vehicle inspection and maintenance functions, daily inspections and cleaning of rental vehicles will be carried out. Rental companies can maintain high-quality vehicle conditions even at remote locations. This allows rental companies to achieve high-quality vehicle management without moving the vehicles, verifying a model that balances operational efficiency and the maintenance of vehicle quality.
## PoC Starting Location
The service has started at the following SS:
- Mitani Service Engine Co., Ltd. Dr.Drive