Toyota develops new hydrogen-powered fuel cell system

TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp has developed its third-generation hydrogen-powered fuel cell system (3rd Gen FC system).

Toyota says the all-new 3rd Gen FC system is designed to meet commercial sector needs, and provides the same durability as conventional diesel-powered engines.

Additionally, the new system features significant improvements in performance, including fuel efficiency and a significant reduction in costs compared to the prior version.

In addition to passenger vehicles, the 3rd Gen FC system will be expanded for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and is planned for introduction in markets mainly in Japan, Europe, North America, and China after 2026 at the earliest.

The 3rd Gen FC system will be unveiled for the first time on Wednesday, February 19 at the H2 & FC EXPO (International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo) in Tokyo, Japan.

The main features of the 3rd Gen FC System:

- Improvement in durability, up to 2x (two times) that of the prior generation, achieving durability comparable to diesel engines and maintenance-free design.
- Improvement in fuel efficiency of 1.2x that of the prior generation, allowing for a 20% more cruising range.
- Significant cost reduction through innovations in cell design and manufacturing processes.

The 3rd Gen FC system 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 heavy-duty commercial vehicles, the new FC 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.