Toyota is preparing to unveil its third-generation hydrogen fuel cell system at the International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo in Tokyo on February 19, 2025. This new system is expected to be more efficient, durable, and affordable, marking a big step forward in Toyota’s hydrogen-powered technology. The company plans to introduce this advanced fuel cell system in Japan, Europe, North America, and China after 2026.
Toyota has stated that the new fuel cell system will be twice as durable as its previous version, making it as long-lasting as a diesel engine. It also improves fuel efficiency by 20%, which means vehicles can travel longer distances with the same amount of hydrogen.
Toyota has made important changes to the fuel cell design and manufacturing process, helping to reduce production costs and make hydrogen-powered vehicles more accessible.
The new fuel cell system is not just for cars. Toyota has designed it to work with different kinds of vehicles, including commercial trucks, ships, and even trains. It can also be used for stationary power generators, providing clean energy for homes and businesses.
Since Toyota launched the Mirai fuel cell vehicle in 2014, the company has sold about 28,000 units globally and supplied more than 2,700 fuel cell systems for buses and power generators. Toyota’s goal with this new system is to help reduce carbon emissions, especially in heavy-duty commercial transport.
For decades, Toyota has been working on hydrogen fuel cell technology, but its large-scale adoption has been slow due to the high cost of hydrogen, storage challenges, and limited infrastructure.
Toyota says it has solved many of these problems, but the real test will be whether the new system works well in real-world conditions. If successful, it could help accelerate the transition to hydrogen energy across different industries.
Toyota’s commitment to hydrogen began in 1992. In 1996, it introduced the EVS13, a fuel cell vehicle with a metal hydride hydrogen tank. In 2001, Toyota’s FCHV-4 became the first hydrogen fuel cell hybrid vehicle approved for testing on public roads in Japan.
The company made further progress in 2014 when it launched the Mirai, the first hydrogen-powered sedan available to customers worldwide. The latest 2024 Mirai model includes new safety features, advanced driving assistance, and an upgraded multimedia system.
To speed up the development of hydrogen technology, Toyota established a special division called the Hydrogen Factory in July 2023. This unit focuses on designing and producing fuel cell systems for different applications. In December 2023, Toyota Motor Europe also launched its own Hydrogen Factory to support the growing hydrogen market in Europe.
Toyota leaders have expressed confidence in the future of hydrogen, with Thiebault Paquet, Vice President and Head of Fuel Cell Business at Toyota Motor Europe, saying that the company will continue working on hydrogen-powered passenger cars while also focusing on heavy-duty transport.
“We will continue to develop fuel cell passenger cars and other light-duty vehicles while we have broadened our focus towards heavy-duty transport to support the expansion of viable hydrogen infrastructure.
