Isuzu and Toyota to develop light-duty fuel cell electric truck

Japanese companies Isuzu Motors Ltd and Toyota Motor Corp have agreed to collaborate on a development toward the mass production of a next-generation light-duty fuel cell (FC) electric truck. This vehicle, which is based on Isuzu’s ‘ELF EV’ BEV light-duty truck and combines Toyota’s new fuel cell system (third-generation FC system), will see both companies jointly develop the system ‘to ensure its compatibility’. The aim is to start production in FY2027.

The companies say 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, deliveries that require long operating hours and being driven long distances. Under such operating conditions, quick energy replenishment is essential to maintaining operational efficiency.

“For such high-utilisation applications, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) that 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 refuelling time. Furthermore, because they offer a long driving range per refuelling, they are well-suited for harsh operating environments. Furthermore, and like BEVs, FCEVs produce little vibration or noise and emit no CO₂ while in use, thereby contributing to reduced environmental impact.”

Fuel cell design
They went on to say that one of the challenges to the widespread adoption of FCEVs is the high vehicle price point, adding that Isuzu is working to reduce costs by optimising the vehicle body structure and reviewing manufacturing processes, while Toyota is looking at fuel cell design and manufacturing processes.

As initiatives to expand hydrogen use advance at the national and local government levels, the two companies are working with local governments and businesses in each region to support the wider adoption of hydrogen mobility. Isuzu will ‘broaden the options for hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles by putting Japan’s strengths in FC technology into practical use and will ‘steadily advance efforts toward building a hydrogen society’.

Toyota says it positions hydrogen as an important energy source and is advancing various initiatives in producing, transporting, storing, and using hydrogen in collaboration with a wide range of partners across industries and will continue to accelerate efforts to expand the use of hydrogen and contribute to ‘the realisation of a hydrogen society’.