Toyota Motor Corporation and Denyo Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of mobile (portable) generators, have jointly developed a fuel cell power unit vehicle (hereafter, FC power unit vehicle) that generates electricity using hydrogen, and announced that they will proceed with efforts toward practical application through demonstration operations. This initiative is being implemented following its adoption for the Ministry of the Environment's "Inducement-Type Technology Development and Demonstration Project for Strengthening CO2 Emission Reduction Measures."

Toyota and Denyo, which position global environmental issues as a key management priority and are actively engaged in related initiatives, believe that the electrification of commercial and industrial vehicles using fuel cells is necessary to reduce CO2 emissions for climate change mitigation and to prevent air pollution.

Furthermore, one of the important values that electrified vehicles can offer within the social system is the ability to supply large amounts of electricity where and when needed, such as during disasters or at outdoor events. To further pursue such possibilities, the two companies have jointly developed an environmentally superior FC power unit vehicle.

Many of the power unit vehicles currently in use employ diesel engines as their power source for both driving and power generation, relying on fossil fuels. Consequently, they emit greenhouse gases like CO2 and air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) during operation. In contrast, by using fuel cells as the power source, the FC power unit vehicle eliminates emissions of environmental pollutants. It can also provide continuous power for approximately 72 hours, and the water generated during power generation can be utilized for applications like showering.

The jointly developed FC power unit vehicle measures 6,380mm in length, 2,220mm in width, and 2,240mm in height, with a total weight of 7,265kg. Based on Toyota's Dyna light-duty truck, it utilizes the FC system installed in the Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV) as its power source. For power supply, it is equipped with an FC-dedicated power supply unit developed by Denso with subsidies from the Ministry of the Environment. Additionally, it carries approximately 65kg of hydrogen (27 hydrogen tanks) to enable long-distance travel and extended power generation.

Demonstration experiments are scheduled to begin in September 2020, during which the effects unique to the FC power unit vehicle, such as its impact on various load equipment and the amount of CO2 emission reduction compared to conventional engine-type generators, will be verified.