Japan’s First Mass-produced Light-duty Fuel Cell Electric Truck

15 Apr Japan’s First Mass-produced Light-duty Fuel Cell Electric Truck

(Oilandgaspress) -– .Isuzu Motors Limited and Toyota Motor Corporation have agreed to collaborate on the development toward the mass production of a next-generation light-duty fuel cell (FC) electric truck. This vehicle is based on Isuzu’s “ELF EV” BEV*1 light-duty truck and combines Toyota’s new fuel cell system (3rd-generation FC system); both companies will jointly develop the system to ensure its compatibility, and aiming to start production in FY2027, both companies will further advance technologies capable of supporting the high-utilization operating conditions unique to commercial vehicles, based on its multi-pathway approach to powertrains, while helping build a hydrogen society and carbon neutral logistics sector.

Light-duty trucks are often used for deliveries to supermarkets, convenience stores, and other services that support everyday life. In many cases, these vehicles are equipped with refrigeration or frozen storage capabilities and make multiple deliveries per day, requiring long operating hours and being driven long distances. Under such operating conditions, quick energy replenishment is essential to maintaining operational efficiency.

For such high-utilization applications, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)*2 which use hydrogen as a high-energy-density fuel, represent an effective option. Compared to BEVs, which face the challenge of long charging times, FCEVs can significantly reduce refueling time. Furthermore, because they offer a long driving range per refueling, they are well-suited for harsh operating environments.
Furthermore, like BEVs, FCEVs produce little vibration or noise and emit no CO2 while in use, thereby contributing to reduced environmental impact.

The new vehicle will be based on the ELF EV, launched in 2023 and designed using I-MACS*3, Isuzu’s product development platform. It adopts Toyota’s next-generation fuel cell stack, enhancing vehicle durability and extending its service life.

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