Toyota’s Hino to Launch Japan’s First Commercial Fuel Cell Truck
Source：fuel cells works
Hino Motors, a Toyota subsidiary, will release the Profia Z FCV next month, marking Japan’s first commercial hydrogen-powered truck. Built jointly with Toyota, the vehicle integrates a modified Mirai fuel cell stack and a co-developed hydrogen tank system. The heavy-duty truck offers a 650km driving range when fully loaded and can refuel in 15 to 30 minutes — targeting logistics routes that demand long range and quick turnaround.
The launch comes with high barriers. At roughly ¥150m ($1m) per unit, Hino will initially lease around 100 trucks, concentrating on Tokyo and Nagoya where hydrogen fueling stations are somewhat more accessible. Nationwide, Japan counts only 149 hydrogen stations, far below the 25,000 EV chargers in operation, underscoring the infrastructure shortfall facing heavy-duty hydrogen adoption.
The Profia Z FCV arrives as Hino merges with Mitsubishi Fuso under Daimler’s umbrella, positioning Toyota’s truck subsidiary within a broader alliance to promote fuel cell technology. While costs and supply chains remain significant obstacles, the launch signals Toyota’s determination to push hydrogen into commercial transport markets, where battery solutions are often less viable for long-haul operations.