Shinji Aso

Development of Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles in TOYOTA

A fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and does not emit CO2, NOtimes or PM. It is a clean and highly efficient energy conversion device and it raises the expectations for the commercialization of a vehicle that uses the fuel cell as a power source. Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) started development of fuel cell hybrid vehicles in 1992. TMC developed the fuel cell stack and major components of the fuel cell hybrid system completely in house, and began limited marketing of the TOYOTA FCHV (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle) in December 2002. In June 2005, the improved FCHV became the first fuel cell vehicle in Japan to acquire vehicle type certification. TMC has been working toward the solutions of many technical challenges to realize widespread use of fuel cell vehicles, including improvement of driving range and freeze start capability as well as enhancement of their marketability.