Toyota unveils third generation hydrogen fuel cell system, will be as durable as diesel engine

【PCauto】At the Tokyo International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Expo (FC EXPO), which commenced on February 19, Toyota introduced its third-generation hydrogen fuel cell system (3rd Gen FC system). Engineered with durability on par with conventional diesel engines, the new system delivers significant improvements over its predecessor in performance, fuel efficiency, and production cost.

Since launching the first mass-produced fuel cell electric vehicle, Mirai, in 2014, Toyota has sold approximately 28,000 units across more than 30 markets worldwide. In 2019, the company began supplying fuel cell systems for applications such as buses, trains, and stationary generators—delivering over 2,700 systems to more than 100 customers globally. The development of the third-generation system has been informed by extensive customer feedback, years of concept validation, and rigorous demonstration testing.

Toyota plans to introduce the system as early as 2026 in the Japanese, European, North American, and Chinese markets, with its application expanding from passenger vehicles to heavy commercial vehicles. Notably, Toyota has taken decisive steps in advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology by initiating trials with FCEV heavy trucks in Thailand. On April 11, 2024, Nex Point PLC—a Thai electric commercial vehicle manufacturer—announced a memorandum of understanding with Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Denso Corporation to co-develop hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks (FCEVs) and assess their commercial viability in Thailand. This initiative is expected to yield valuable real-world performance data for the third-generation system.

Key features of Toyota's third-generation hydrogen fuel cell system include:

Enhanced Durability: Twice that of the previous generation and comparable to diesel engines.

Maintenance-Free Design.

Improved Fuel Efficiency: A 1.2-fold increase over its predecessor, resulting in a 20% boost in driving range.

Cost Efficiency: Substantial production cost reductions achieved through innovative fuel cell design and manufacturing processes.

Furthermore, the third-generation system is highly versatile, suitable for commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, stationary generators, trains, and ships. In passenger vehicles, improved fuel efficiency extends the driving range; in commercial vehicles, its robust durability and high power output meet the demands of heavy-duty operations, while its compact design facilitates integration across various vehicle types.