Toyota's fuel-cell bus closer

Toyota has unveiled a 79-seat hydrogen bus which will go on sale next year

Toyota says the Sora bus is close to production with the company planning to start sales next year and introduce more than 100 of the buses ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Toyota's fuel-cell system developed for the Mirai, has been adopted to deliver superior environmental performance with no CO2 emissions or substances of concern emitted when in operation, we’re told.

The Sora uses two 114kW fuel-cell stacks and two 113kW, 335Nm electric motors with 10 high-pressure hydrogen tanks offering 600 litres of hydrogen capacity.

It is equipped with a high-capacity external power supply system, providing high maximum output of 9kW and 235kWh supply.

This enables the bus to be used as an emergency power source. For example, it can power evacuation sites such as school gymnasiums and community centres for about five days with lights on for six hours per day (50kWh per day).

Eight high-definition cameras fitted inside and outside the vehicle detect pedestrians and bicycles around the bus, providing a peripheral monitoring function that warns the driver with sound and images to improve safety.

For the safety of standing passengers, an acceleration control function enables gentle acceleration from stops. There is no lurching due to the lack of a need for gear shifting. Seats automatically fold up when not in use to provide space for strollers or wheelchairs.

Sora is an acronym for Sky, Ocean, River, Air, representing the earth's water cycle.

SPECIFICATIONS – Toyota Sora bus

Dimensions

Length: 10,525mm

Width: 2490mm

Height: 3340mm

Capacity

Total (including driver): 79

Seated passengers: 22

Standing passengers: 56

FC Stack

Name: Toyota FC

Type: Solid polymer electrolyte

Maximum output: 114kW x 2 units

Motor

Type: AC synchronous

Maximum power: 113kW x 2 units

Maximum torque: 335Nm x 2 units

High-pressure hydrogen tank

Number of tanks: 10

Nominal working pressure: 70MPa

Tank volume: 600 litres

Drive battery
Type: Nickel-metal hydride

External power supply system

Maximum output: 9kW

Power supply amount: 235kWh

Toyota's fuel-cell bus closer

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