What fuel cell does Toyota use?
Toyota uses Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells for its hydrogen-powered vehicles, most notably the Mirai sedan. PEM fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity with water vapor as the only emission, powering the car’s electric drivetrain and charging its battery. This article explains the technology and where Toyota applies it today.
What fuel cell technology does Toyota use?
To understand Toyota’s approach, here are the defining features of its PEM-based fuel cell technology and how it fits into its vehicles.
- Low operating temperature around 80°C, which enables quicker startup and compatibility with automotive systems
- High power density suitable for the dynamic needs of a passenger car and other mobility applications
- Use of a polymer electrolyte membrane (proton exchange membrane) with platinum-based catalysts to drive the electrochemical reaction
- Integration with hydrogen storage (typically high-pressure tanks around 70 MPa) and a battery or supercapacitor to smooth power delivery
- Ongoing cost and durability improvements, including reductions in precious metal loading and stack durability enhancements
These characteristics explain why Toyota has pursued PEM fuel cells as the core technology for its hydrogen-powered lineup, especially for cars and buses, where quick cold-start and reliable performance matter most.
Where Toyota deploys PEM fuel cells
These deployments illustrate the practical applications of Toyota’s PEM fuel cell technology across mobility segments.
- Toyota Mirai — the company’s flagship hydrogen fuel cell passenger car, now in its second generation, uses a PEM fuel cell stack to generate electricity for the drive system
- Toyota Sora — a hydrogen-powered fuel cell bus used in public-transport and demonstration programs, also based on a PEM-based fuel cell system
Together, these vehicles showcase Toyota’s emphasis on PEM fuel cells for mobility, pairing hydrogen energy with electric drivetrains to offer zero-emission transportation with familiar car and bus form factors.
Future directions and research
Looking ahead, Toyota outlines a roadmap focused on making PEM fuel cells more affordable, durable, and scalable for broader use—including commercial fleets and stationary applications.
Ongoing improvements
In pursuit of broader adoption, Toyota highlights efforts to reduce precious metal use, extend stack life, improve cold-start performance, and integrate fuel cells more seamlessly with energy storage and renewables.
- Reducing platinum loading and alternative catalysts to cut costs
- Enhancing durability to withstand vehicle operating conditions over longer lifetimes
- Advancing system integration with storage (batteries/supercapacitors) and charging infrastructure to improve overall efficiency
These research and development priorities reflect Toyota’s strategy to scale PEM fuel cells from flagship vehicles to wider fleets and home energy solutions.
Summary
In short, Toyota relies on Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells for its hydrogen-powered lineup, with the Mirai as the clearest example in passenger cars and the Sora bus illustrating commercial applications. The focus now is on cost reduction, durability, and broader deployment, while continuing to refine PEM fuel-cell technology for both mobility and potential stationary uses.
Is Toyota using hydrogen fuel cells?
Since 1992, we have continued to refine our hydrogen technology. Our second-generation fuel cell modules are also assembled at TME's R&D centre in Brussels. Since January 2022, the facility houses a pilot assembly line combining advanced technologies with high-quality assembly.
What model is the Toyota fuel cell?
The Toyota Mirai (Japanese: トヨタ・MIRAI, Hepburn: Toyota Mirai) (from mirai (未来), Japanese for 'future') is a mid-size hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) manufactured by Toyota, and is the first FCV to be mass-produced and sold commercially.
Who makes fuel cells for Toyota?
(April 29, 2025) – Rehlko and Toyota Motor North America (Toyota) today announced at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo a supplier agreement wherein Toyota will provide its hydrogen-powered fuel cell modules to Rehlko, a global leader in energy resilience, for use in stationary power generator products.
Who is the battery supplier for Toyota?
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has agreed with Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD) to make Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) a wholly owned subsidiary in order to strengthen its capabilities in mass-producing automotive batteries.
