Toyota ready to test fuel cell buses in Japan

Toyota's drive to a hydrogen future continues with upcoming real-world testing in Tokyo for its fuel-cell bus. The public transport people-carrier is based on a Hino bus with a standard hybrid system refitted with a hydrogen fuel-cell setup derived from the one in the Toyota Mirai. Hino is a subsidiary of Toyota

Eight hydrogen tanks supply two fuel cell stacks that juice up a nickel-metal hydride battery. That battery powers two AC synchronous motors, each one good for 147 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. Toyota focused on upping the output of the powertrain for the 77-person-capacity bus.

There will be two phases to the testing, the first being hauling folks on established bus routes around central Tokyo and the waterfront area from July 24-30. For one of those days the bus will be used for the second phase, a vehicle-to-home test that will gauge the stack's viability as an external power source when the municipal power grid goes down.

Look for it if you're in Tokyo and grab a ride on one of our possible futures. There's a press release below with more info.

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Show full PR text Next Stop: Zero-Emission Buses
Toyota and Hino to Test Fuel Cell Bus on Public Routes in Tokyo

Jul. 21, 2015 - Many people around the world use public transportation, such as trains or buses, to commute to school or work on a daily basis. While public transport undoubtedly has considerable environmental benefits, most public transport networks run off public power grids or consist of gasoline or diesel burning vehicles. Shifting only a fraction of these networks over to zero-emission fuel cells could significantly reduce overall vehicle emissions.

With this future in mind, Toyota and Hino expect zero-emission fuel cell buses to become a means of transport that will contribute to the realization of a future hydrogen-based society.

Toyota FC Bus
In the next stage of development for their jointly-developed fuel cell bus, Toyota Motor Corporation and Hino Motors, Ltd. will carry out field tests in Tokyo from July 24 to July 30, hoping to accelerate technological development of the bus with the aim of bringing it to market.

These field tests will help determine the practicality of the fuel cell bus for use in public transport networks, as well as evaluating the efficacy of its external power supply system during widespread power outages caused by natural disasters. The tests will be carried out with the cooperation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Field test schedule
Performance testing
- Test period July 24 and July 27?30, 2015
- Test location Central Tokyo and Tokyo waterfront area
- No. of vehicles 1
External power supply system testing
- Test period July 25, 2015
- Test location Tokyo Metropolitan Research Institute for Environmental Protection
- No. of vehicles 1

About the FC Bus
Development
The fuel cell bus was developed jointly by Toyota and Hino based on a Hino hybrid non-step bus and is equipped with the Toyota Fuel Cell System developed for the Mirai. The system generates electricity from the chemical reaction between hydrogen stored in the onboard fuel cell system and airborne oxygen.

The design of the bus has been optimized for increased power output, and features two fuel cell stacks and motors alongside eight high-pressure hydrogen tanks. Toyota was responsible for development of the Toyota Fuel Cell System, while Hino handled development of the bus body, including the chassis.

Main specifications of the fuel cell bus
Vehicle
Length / width / height: 10,525 / 2,490 / 3,340 mm
Capacity (seated, standing, and driver): 77 (26+50+1)
FC stack
Name: Toyota FC stack
Type: Solid polymer electrolyte
Max output: 114 kw - 2 units / 155 ps - 2 units
Motor
Type: AC synchronous
Max output: 110 kw - 2 units / 149.5 ps - 2 units
Maximum torque: 335 N-m - 2
High-pressure hydrogen tank
Type: Compressed hydrogen
Maximum filling pressure: 70 MPa
Number: 8
Tank capacity: 480 L
Drive battery
Type: Nickel-metal hydride
FC bus V2H* system
Maximum output / voltage: 9.8 Kw / DC300 V

*An abbreviation of Vehicle to Home. A general term for systems that supply electric power from vehicles through the electric wiring of facilities.
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