The next-gen technology will also offer 20 percent more range and less maintenance.
Big things are in store for Toyota in the zero tailpipe emission market starting in 2026. The Japanese automaker will roll out its next-generation fuel cell, which promises to deliver a 50 percent fuel cell stack cost reduction, 20 percent more range, and less maintenance compared to diesel engines.
That would be a significant step towards evolving the use of hydrogen in the automotive industry. In the words of Toyota, the price of hydrogen is still high. So to make it commercially available, cost reductions must be introduced, and the brand said it is already working on it.
In a recent technical briefing session, Toyota said it is addressing the rapid market changes in the fuel cell segment with a new organization called Hydrogen Factory. This aims to make quick decisions under a single leader, from sales and marketing to development and production.
Toyota will produce hydrogen to aid its campaign toward the commercial use of fuel cells. The automaker has developed new electrolysis equipment that produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water. Moreover, the company plans to produce hydrogen from biogas in Thailand, which will be derived from chicken manure and food waste.
The majority of the hydrogen campaign is said to be focused on Toyota's commercial vehicle (CV) lineup, specifically light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks, as well as buses. Toyota will be able to reduce costs by 50 percent if 200,000 units will be ordered in 2030. Korean automaker Hyundai has also ventured into this market in the US with the launch of the Xcient Hydrogen truck last May 2023.
Currently, the Toyota Mirai is the brand's only hydrogen-powered model available in the US.
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During the same technical briefing session, Toyota discussed its plans for the EV market. Chief among which is the introduction of next-gen batteries capable of offering a cruising range of 621 miles and an estimated charging time of just 10 minutes.
It is clear Toyota now wants both EVs and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in its future lineup. To show support for carbon neutrality, Toyota even revealed two AE86 concepts earlier this year – one fully electrified and one hydrogen-powered. The brand's initiatives will be further realized once the next-gen technologies arrive in the next three years.
“Let's change the future of cars with hydrogen. We will take this opportunity to further accelerate the commercialization of hydrogen,” concluded Yamagata-san.
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Keyword: Toyota Says Next-Gen Fuel Cell Will Be 50 Percent Cheaper By 2026