Toyota has announced development work on a third-generation fuel cell (FC) system for use in both hydrogen cars and commercial vehicles.

The Mk3 fuel cell tech will deliver significant improvements in performance, fuel efficiency and cruising range

It’s aimed at everything from passenger cars to heavy-duty commercial vehicles and due for market introduction, principally in Japan, Europe, North America and China, post-2026 “at the earliest”.

The new technology will deliver significant improvements in performance, including fuel efficiency and a 20% rise in cruising range, along with a reduction in production costs compared to the second-generation system.

It’s also designed to meet the particular needs of the commercial sector, offering durability comparable to diesel engines and high power. The third-gen system’s more compact design means it can be more easily integrated into different commercial vehicles.

The new system reinforces Toyota’s commitment to hydrogen “as an important fuel in the pursuit of carbon neutrality”. The Japanese brand said continuous evolution of fuel cell technology is necessary to further accelerate its adoption to help achieve a hydrogen society.

The carmaker has also been promoting initiatives in the areas of ‘Create, Transport, Store and Use hydrogen’ in relation to its R&D activities.

The Mirai, Toyota’s first production fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), launched in 2014 and has since sold around 28,000 units across more than 30 markets around the world.