Toyota, Isuzu, Hino want you to commute smoke-free

Toyota is looking at making electric mobility not just available to private individuals, but also to commuters. But in order to make this feasible, the automaker has decided to collaborate with Hino and Isuzu.

To achieve their goal towards a carbon-neutral society by 2050, Toyota Motor Corporation, Isuzu Motors Limited, and Hino Motors, Ltd. have announced their plans to begin producing battery electric vehicle (BEV) flat-floor buses by 2024. In addition, they will start planning and developing the next-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) buses.

Isuzu and Hino have been collaborating in making buses since 2002, and the former will spearhead the development of the BEV flat-floor bus. Thanks to its flat-floor passenger area, the bus's interior can be greatly expanded compared to conventional non-step buses which significantly improves travel safety and prevent onboard accidents.

Moreover, the three companies plan to adopt the BEV flat-floor bus platform in developing the next-generation FCEV bus. It will utilize Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell system found in the Mirai and the SORA fuel cell bus to significantly reduce costs.

This initiative is in line with the automakers' individual global environmental actions to the recent rapid moves toward the popularization of practical and sustainable electric vehicles, particularly in the need for zero-emission public transport.