Continue unabated
If, after previous publications last autumn, the impression arises that Toyota is scaling back the development of hydrogen technology: the third generation of FCEV technology will be launched in 2026. The current Mirai and the recently unveiled Crown FCEV are equipped with second-generation hydrogen technology.
Toyota announced this at the Kenshiki Forum. This is a deep dive for the press where the brands Toyota and Lexus show and know where they are and where they are going. In addition, the news will see new models. That was also the case this year, although the Urban SUV Concept is a harbinger of a new electric Toyota that will be in showrooms next year.
At this year’s edition, the focus on hydrogen technology with fuel cells as one of the means on the way to zero emissions was certainly no less. In 2026, Toyota will introduce the third generation of technology for the FCEV. For context: the first Mirai had the first generation, the current one has the second generation, just like the recently presented Crown FCEV, which is available in China and Japan.
A third model with current fuel cell technology is the Toyota HiLux. The special version of the pick-up has the fuel cell stack under the hood and three hydrogen tanks of 2.6 kilos each between the ladder chassis. An electric motor generating 134 kW drives the rear wheels. It receives its energy from the battery pack that has been placed in the loading platform of the pick-up, directly behind the cabin. This is still a prototype. The sporting showpiece is the WEC racer that runs on hydrogen. It should score high in the special class for hydrogen cars.
The trajectory of combustion engines that run on hydrogen will also continue. Racing department Gazoo Racing not only has GR Yaris as a rally car and as a circuit racer, there is also a racing version of the GR Corolla with the same technology as the GR Yaris.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl