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News - ToyotaToyota reveals latest fuel cell techGeneration-three Toyota hydrogen fuel cell technology has commercial vehicle focus20 Feb 2025 MAINTAINING a multi-faceted mobility strategy, Toyota has announced its third-generation hydrogen fuel cell system (Gen 3 FC) was developed with a greater emphasis on commercial vehicle applications.
The Japanese giant said that hastening hydrogen fuel cell uptake in commercial vehicles is an important step "toward the realisation of a hydrogen society”.
Underlining the point, Toyota says its new fuel cell system – the product of a program that commenced years ago – is “designed to meet the particular needs of the commercial sector with the same durability as conventional diesel-powered engines”.
To that end, the new system features significant improvements in performance, including fuel efficiency and cost reductions compared to the previous effort.
While earlier fuel cell systems have focused on passenger vehicles, the latest iteration will be expanded for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles as a potential alternative to BEV powertrains which are grappling with weight issues, recharge time, functionality and energy consumption from the grid.
Toyota says Gen 3 FC is planned for introduction primarily in Japan, Europe, North America and China, in 2027 at the earliest.
The manufacturer pulled the covers off its new system for the first time last week at the H2 & FC EXPO (International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo) in Tokyo.
Like some other car-makers, Toyota sees hydrogen as an important fuel when working towards carbon neutrality and is actively collaborating with partners across various industries.
It has been promoting various hydrogen initiatives through R&D activities designed to accelerate the “use cases and adoption” of fuel cell technology, with continuous evolution of the technology exemplified by this latest development which Toyota describes as a “significant step-change”.
Taking a look back at Toyota’s more recent fuel cell activities we find it launched the Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2014, selling approximately 28,000 units in 30 plus countries and territories.
Since 2019, Toyota began supplying fuel cell systems for alternate uses such as buses, trains and stationary power generators and has supplied upwards of 2700 units to more than 100 customers globally.
In its home country, Toyota works with many partners, particularly in Tokyo and Fukushima prefectures, to implement fuel cell systems in the commercial sector and help create a hydrogen society.
Toyota says the new Gen3 FC was developed based on customer feedback and insights from proof-of-concepts and demonstration tests over the past several years.
Main features of the new system start with an improvement in durability – said to be up to twice as reliable as the prior generation to achieve durability comparable to diesel engines and a maintenance-free design.
According to Toyota, the latest system is 20 per cent more fuel efficient, equating to a greater cruising range, and significant cost reductions have been achieved through innovations in cell design and manufacturing processes and an expansion of the line-up.
Toyota says Gen3 FC can be installed in a variety of commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and general-purpose applications, such as stationary generators, rail, and ships.
“For passenger vehicles, the improved fuel efficiency provides greater cruising range for further peace of mind. For heavy-duty commercial vehicles, the new system offers a level of durability comparable to diesel engines and high power. In addition, by designing the system to be more compact, it can be more easily integrated into various commercial vehicles.”
Toyota says its fuel cell development program will continue striving for the realisation of a hydrogen society in collaboration with local governments and other companies, associations, and organizations.  Read more6th of November 2024  Initium hydrogen FCEV to replace Hyundai NexoThird generation hydrogen fuel cell technology to offer driving range of over 650km28th of October 2024  Highlights of the 2024 Paris motor showLocal giants powered the Paris show floor, with electricity (and a little hydrogen)24th of September 2024  Hyundai, Skoda Group confirm hydrogen collabKorea-Czech summit in Prague hosts hydrogen tech, sustainable mobility agreement18th of September 2024  Toyota shows new Euro LCV range at IAAProfessional Toyotas provide solution for short-haul European transport industry |
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