Toyota Super-Sizes its Fuel-Cell Vehicles

Toyota FC Bus (Credit: © Toyota)

Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda are spearheading the venture into the world of hydrogen vehicles with their respective fuel-cell vehicles. So far, each automaker has one FCV in the U.S (or coming soon), but Toyota has even bigger plans for this technology. By Bigger, I mean a bus capable of hauling 77 people – 26 seated, 50 standing and one driver.

Meet the Toyota FC Bus. This massive people hauler will use the same fuel-cell system as the Mirai, but it’ll adapt it for this slightly larger vehicle. The FC Bus will boast a pair of electric motors that produce 113 kW and 335 Nm (154 horsepower and 247 pound-feet) each. While this won’t make it at all fast, it will deliver completely silent operation for up to 124 miles while emitting only water.

While the mileage is a tad low, it is likely a welcome tradeoff for big cities with pollution issues. Additionally, it takes just 10 minutes to fill its 10 tanks with hydrogen.

On top of being a silent and pollution-free people mover, this bus can also step in and deliver emergency power in the event of a natural disaster. This is thanks to its power takeoff unit that can supply electricity to a gymnasium or other evacuation center.

Sadly, Toyota only has plans to release this bus in Tokyo initially. It plans to have units ready for sale by 2017 and looks to have over 100 FC Buses in use by the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games in Tokyo.

Stay tuned for updates.