Toyota delivers fuel cell bus to Tokyo Metropolitan Government; more than 100 planned by 2020 Olympics
24 February 2017
Toyota Motor Corporation delivered the first fuel cell bus (FC bus) sold under the Toyota brand to the Bureau of Transportation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This FC bus will be put into operation as a Toei route bus in March along with a second bus that is scheduled for delivery in the same month.
Toyota plans to introduce more than 100 FC buses mainly within the Tokyo area, ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The increased use of FC buses in urban areas is expected to help raise the level of understanding by the general public regarding the use of FC buses as a form of public transportation.
The Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which was developed for the Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV), has been adopted to provide better energy efficiency in comparison with internal combustion engines, as well as to deliver superior environmental performance with no CO2 emissions or Substances of Concern (SoC) emitted when driving. In addition, the FC Bus is compliant with Non-Step Standards, making for easy boarding and exiting by elderly people and young children.
The TCFS combines hybrid technology (power control unit, motor and battery) with fuel cell technology (Toyota FC stacks and high pressure hydrogen tanks).
The bus also uses a high-capacity external power supply system. With a power supply capable of a 9 kW maximum output, and a large capacity of electricity supply at 235 kWh, the FC bus can be used as a power source in the event of disasters, such as at evacuation sites such as in school gymnasiums or, its electricity supply can also be harnessed for home electric appliance use.
| Main specifications of Toyota FC Bus | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Length / width / height | 10,525 / 2,490 / 3,340 mm | ||||
| Capacity (seated, standing, driver) | 77 (26+50+1) | |||||
| FC stack | Name | Toyota FC stack | ||||
| Type | Solid polymer electrolyte | |||||
| Maximum output | 114 kW × 2 units | |||||
| Motor | Type | AC synchronous | ||||
| Maximum output | 113 kW × 2 units | |||||
| Maximum torque | 335 N·m × 2 units | |||||
| High-pressure hydrogen tank | Number of tanks | 10 | ||||
| Nominal working pressure | 70 MPa (approx. 700 bar) | |||||
| Tank storage density | 5.7 wt% | |||||
| Tank internal volume | 600 liters | |||||
| Drive battery | Type | Nickel-metal hydride | ||||
| External power | Maximum output | 9 kW | ||||
| Power supply amount | 235 kWh | |||||
Development and demonstration tests of the Toyota FC Bus were conducted under the Next-Generation Energy and Social Systems Demonstration Project of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Low Carbon Technology Research and Development Program7 under the Ministry of Environment. It was then introduced under the Program for promoting low carbonization of local transportation of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
The Toyota Group considers the use of hydrogen to be a powerful source of energy for the future. Toyota has launched the Mirai FCV, while also engaging in the technological and product development of FC buses, fuel cell forklifts, as well as stationary fuel cells for use in homes. Going forward, Toyota says it will accelerate developments in a unified manner, so as to contribute to the realization of a hydrogen-based society.
This is one of the way to launch competitive FC Buses and essential H2 stations. Would possibly be more practical than short range e-buses?
On board batteries could be changed for lighter more efficient Lithium?
Exended H2 stations could be shared with other FCEV users with priority for FC Buses?
Posted by: HarveyD | 24 February 2017 at 08:22 AM
"Would possibly be more practical than short range e-buses?"
Not unless you need more than 300 miles of range which you would not need except for long distance inter-city routes. Proterra ( https://www.proterra.com/ ) offers battery electric transit buses with up to 350 mile range and the total cost of ownership appears to be less than a diesel bus. Where is Japan going to get hydrogen? There are already short on power after they shut down most of their nuclear plants and have increased their consumption of coal.
Posted by: sd | 24 February 2017 at 10:01 AM
Instead of 6000 pounds of batteries they could have 1000 and a fuel cell fed with LH2.
Posted by: SJC | 25 February 2017 at 08:08 AM
Which one is more cost effective and which one has less pollution?
Posted by: sd | 26 February 2017 at 08:47 AM
The article and link are somewhat difficult to interpret.
We Know it has a drive battery and that it is N-mh it would seem it is this.
High-capacity external power supply system Maximum output 7.2 kW
Power supply amount 235 kWh
With a power supply capable of a 9 kW *3
*3Possible electric power varies depending on the performance of the power supply unit.
Motor Type AC synchronous
Maximum output 113 kW × 2 units
Powering
FC stack Name Toyota FC stack
Type Solid polymer electrolyte
**Maximum(*** continuous?) output 114 kW × 2 units
So a buffer of 1+1 kW of stack over motor rating and 7.2 kW
of battery boost for a total of 9.2 kW above motor rating.
Sounds conservative 'copybook'or 'to the letter' for a well designed system.
It would be interesting to hear of lightweight body chassis and unconventional drive trains that will add to efficiency.
While development costs are sometimes high, the payoffs accumulate quickly.
Posted by: Arnold | 26 February 2017 at 01:11 PM
Clean H2 will be produced (in the near future) with excess/surplus REs (Solar-Wind-Hydro etc) and stored in new up-to-date (site) containments.
On board H2 containers/tanks will soon contain enough H2 for 500 to 800 Km high efficiency extended range FCEVs.
Posted by: HarveyD | 28 February 2017 at 02:52 PM
LH2 makes more sense, 10,000 psi H2 tanks can only be emptied and refilled a limited number of times before they become a safety hazard.
Posted by: SJC | 28 February 2017 at 07:42 PM
Near future (nanocellulose re-enforced fiber) H2 tanks will probably last as long if not longer than the FC vehicle?
Secondly, pressure could be lowered (to 80% or so) to extend duration while reducing range?
Posted by: HarveyD | 01 March 2017 at 05:57 PM