Toyota and Fukushima work on urban concepts of the future

Car manufacturer Toyota believes that the city of the future will rely on hydrogen as an energy source.

Toyota Motor Corporation and the Japanese prefecture of Fukushima are investigating how this can be implemented. Together with other partners, they are working on special initiatives for the implementation and integration of hydrogen - especially in cities with around 300,000 inhabitants, which are typical for Japan.

On the road to carbon neutrality and more sustainable society, future municipalities will use both hydrogen produced in Fukushima and hydrogen-related technologies developed locally, Toyota said in a recent statement. The project, implemented with the help of the carmaker, focuses on supplying supermarkets and shops that are part of the city's infrastructure.

Fuel cell vehicles play a central role in the project. The drive technology known from the Mirai sedan can also be used outside of passenger cars. Together with Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies (CJPT) and the commercial vehicle manufacturers Hino and Isuzu, Toyota is developing a light fuel cell truck, for example, which is to be used in emission-free goods transport as early as the beginning of 2023.

An energy management system is also to be set up for this purpose, which will link the fleet management system of each company, the driving data of the vehicles and the information of the hydrogen filling stations. This should ensure optimal placement and best-operating conditions for hydrogen refuelling stations, avoid traffic congestion at hydrogen refuelling stations and minimise vehicle downtime.

To decarbonise operations, the project will also seek to increase the use of renewable energy and establish models for hydrogen use. New electrolysis plants, for example, are to produce clean hydrogen. Stationary fuel cell generators that run on the green energy carrier reduce CO2 emissions and also make the building independent of the power grid. Even in the event of a power failure, offices and shops can remain supplied. Fuel cell vehicles can also be used as a mobile energy supply.