<article><p class="lead">Japanese auto producer Toyota is aiming to accelerate development of commercial fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), particularly small-size commercial trucks, with a capital tie-up with domestic truck manufacturer Isuzu.</p><p>Toyota and its 50.14pc-owned subsidiary Hino Motors have agreed with Isuzu to jointly work on development of electric vehicles (EVs) and FCEVs for commercial use, as well as technology for autonomous driving. Toyota is set to acquire a 4.6pc share of Isuzu for ¥42.8bn ($390mn) to advance their partnership on commercial vehicles. Isuzu is also planning to acquire a share of Toyota of the same value.</p><p>Toyota in 2018 had sold a 5.89pc stake in Isuzu, ending its 12-year capital tie-up for co-operation on development and production of diesel engines.</p><p>Toyota, Hino and Isuzu are targeting to expand and accelerate use of FCEVs by development infrastructure, while jointly working on EVs and FCEVs. The three firms plan to introduce FC trucks to a <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2194885">hydrogen demonstration project in Fukushima prefecture</a>.</p><p>The Japanese government is backing efforts to develop hydrogen mobility technology using green hydrogen output at the Fukushima facility to achieve its 2050 decarbonisation goal. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable resources with no emissions. </p><p>Hydrogen demand for commercial FC trucks is predicted to hit 6mn t/yr once they are commercialised. Japan's government research agency Nedo is currently co-ordinating with a number of Japanese firms and organisations, including electronics firm Panasonic and steel producer Nippon Steel, to develop hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy-duty commercial FC trucks.</p><p>Toyota and Hino are already working on a large-capacity high-pressure hydrogen tank and a 25t FC truck with a targeted cruising range of around 600km. The newly-developed FC trucks will be used in road trials in the Tokyo area by domestic logistics firms starting in April next year. </p><p>Toyota is also developingjointly with Hino a FC truck for the North American market, while working on FC electric trains with rail firm JR East and electronics conglomerate Hitachi. Isuzu last year agreed with Japanese auto producer Honda on joint research on heavy-duty FC trucks.</p><p>Toyota in December last year launched the Mirai FCEV, which has a 850km cruising range without needing to refuel. It has achieved around a 30pc increase in cruising range over the first-generation Mirai, which was launched in 2014 as the world's first mass-produced FCEV.</p><p class="bylines">By Rieko Suda</p></article>
