Toyota announced today that its hydrogen fuel cell hybrid sports utility vehicle has been certified by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

It is the first fuel cell powered SUV to receive certification under the country's Road Vehicles Act.

The news comes in the wake of Toyota's announcement that it would sell hydrogen vehicles by 2015. The car company is the world's first to market fuel cell vehicles, but very few have been marketed. 11 have been leased in Japan and five in the US.

Toyota's SUV, called the FCHV, is said to have higher reliability and durability than the previous model. Most notably it has a new high-pressure storage tank that can be used for 15 years, compared to the previous three-year lifespan.

The company is actively applying its fuel cell technology to Japanese public buses, particularly in the capital city, Tokyo.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd