- Toyota reveals third-gen hydrogen fuel-cell technology
- Passenger vehicles get improved fuel efficiency and more range
- Heavy-duty commercial vehicles get durability comparable to diesel engines
- To be used in Japan, Europe, North America, and China after 2026
Debate rages on the effectiveness of hydrogen fuel cells in the transportation sector, but Toyota has doubled down on its efforts to create what it refers to as a “hydrogen society.” The world’s largest automaker has just revealed its third-generation fuel-cell system (called the “3rd Gen FC System”) which it says is designed to meet the needs of the commercial sector with the same durability as conventional diesel-powered engines.
The system, which features improvements in performance, fuel efficiency and a significant reduction in costs compared to the prior version, will be used in future Toyota FCEV passenger vehicles, and will be expanded for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Initial markets for the technology are Japan, Europe, North America, and China, after 2026 at the earliest.
One of the hallmarks of the new system, according to Toyota, is its durability, reporting that it is up to two times that of the prior generation, with durability comparable to diesel engines but offering maintenance-free operation.
As to the improvement in fuel efficiency, the system provides 20% more cruising range than the second-gen technology. And the cost reduction has been realized through innovations in cell design and manufacturing processes.
And by designing the system to be more compact, Toyota notes it can be more easily integrated into various commercial vehicles. In addition to being used in a variety of commercial vehicles and passenger cars, Toyota has plans for the 3rd Gen FC System to be put into general-purpose applications, such as stationary generators, rail, and ships.
Toyota has been a strong proponent of hydrogen fuel for more than a decade, and the Mirai sedan, launched in 2014, is sold in more than 30 countries globally. To date, approximately 28,000 Mirais have been sold. And since 2019, Toyota has supplied fuel-cell systems for use in other applications, such as buses, railroads, and stationary power generators, supplying more than 2,700 units to more than 100 customers globally.
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles have the great benefit of being zero-emission — the only byproduct is water vapour — and having a fill time similar to that of a gasoline-powered vehicle. However, hydrogen-fuelling infrastructure is still in its infancy, with fewer than 10 public fuelling stations across Canada, for example, with five of those in British Columbia.
Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on Instagram ,Facebook and X to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.