Accelerating Bus Electrification Toward Achieving Carbon Neutrality

Management

Feb 28, 2022

Isuzu and Hino to Begin Production of BEV Flat-floor Route Buses in FY2024
Isuzu, Hino, and Toyota to Begin Study for Planning and Development of Next-generation FCEV Route Bus

Isuzu Motors Limited
Hino Motors, Ltd.
Toyota Motor Corporation

Tokyo, Japan, February 28^th, 2022--Isuzu Motors Limited (Isuzu), Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino), and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today that they plan to strengthen their efforts to electrify buses toward the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050. In collaboration with Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo, Tokyo; President: Hiroki Nakajima), which works to solve social issues through the spread of CASE technologies, we will expand our lineup to increase customer options and reduce vehicle cost, in addition to popularizing practical and sustainable electric vehicles.

1) Isuzu and Hino to begin production of BEV flat-floor route buses in FY2024

Toward the realization of a decarbonized society in 2050, Isuzu and Hino plan to begin production of battery electric vehicle (BEV) flat-floor route buses^* in 2024 at Isuzu-Hino joint venture J-Bus Ltd.

Isuzu and Hino have been collaborating in the bus business since 2002 and have been precisely responding to the requirements of bus operators in Japan. Recent rapid moves toward carbon neutrality are heightening the need for zero-emission route buses, and Isuzu and Hino intend to respond to that need.

The BEV flat-floor route bus planned for production start in FY2024 will be developed by Isuzu, and the adoption of a BEV powertrain, which will provide zero CO₂ emissions during vehicle use, is aimed at contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society. Also, toward achieving zero onboard accidents, by taking advantage of the freedom of layout afforded by BEVs, the flat-floor area of the bus's interior can be greatly expanded compared to conventional non-step buses, significantly improving travel safety.

2) Isuzu, Hino, and Toyota to begin study for the planning and development of next-generation FCEV route bus

Additionally, Isuzu, Hino, and Toyota have agreed to begin studying the planning and development of next-generation fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) route bus based on the BEV flat-floor route bus to be produced from FY2024.

The next-generation FCEV route bus will combine the platform of the BEV flat-floor route bus scheduled for launch in FY 2024, with Toyota's fully developed fuel cell system found in the Toyota Mirai and the SORA fuel cell bus. By sharing the same components between BEVs and FCEVs, Isuzu, Hino, and Toyota aim to significantly reduce costs, and by adopting new-generation fuel cell stacks and utilizing Toyota and Hino's FCEV bus development know-how to date, they aim to provide longer-life, higher-added-value electrified vehicles.

Through this initiative, Isuzu, Hino, and Toyota intend to contribute to the realization of a hydrogen-based society in Japan, by applying Japan's strengths in fuel cell technology.

Isuzu is advancing its global environmental actions based on the "Isuzu Environmental Vision 2050" (announced in 2020), an Isuzu Group roadmap for addressing global environmental issues over the long term and securing a prosperous and sustainable society by the year 2050. Meanwhile, Hino, through its "Hino Environmental Challenge 2050" (announced in 2017), has set a goal of achieving zero environmental impact and is accelerating its efforts by additionally establishing the "Hino Environmental Milestone 2030" as an interim target in April 2021. Toyota has also formulated its "Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050" (announced in 2015), which aims to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions during vehicle use and is endeavoring to develop and promote the use of electrified vehicle technologies.

*A bus with a flat, single-level floor that extends from the front of the bus to almost the rear

Hino's Contribution toward realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Hino has taken on multifaced solutions as value provision to the customers and society by addressing the four goals together with the targets of,
1) zero fatal traffic accidents with Hino vehicles, 2) significant CO₂ emissions reductions, 3) support for the development of our customers' business, and 4) further streamlining the flow of people and goods, in order to achieve a prosperous and livable, sustainable society where people and goods can move freely safely and efficiently.
This case will contribute to realizing the SDGs targets as follows through the activities with our partners that have the same dreams.

Realizing a society in which people and goods can get to where they need to go safely, reliably and in an optimum manner with environmental responsibility
We seek to achieve a prosperous and livable, sustainable society through zero fatal traffic accidents with Hino vehicles, significant CO₂ emissions reductions, and further streamlining the flow of people and goods.

Developing partners that have the same dreams (Providing solutions to societal issues by bringing together all the competencies)
In addition to our collaboration with the Toyota Group, we aggressively pursues the creation of partnerships with like-minded organizations and provides solutions to societal issues.

Building a sustainable value chain
In the value chain of broad range of truck and bus, we contribute to realize sustainable society with lower environmental impact through reduction of effect to society and environment.