Until now, Toyota would have had to get each tank individually inspected before it could be installed into a vehicle, impacting on manufacturing times and inventory control.

Certification means the process can be significantly shortened, as the carmaker can undertake its own tests, streamlining the manufacturing process, reducing costs and allowing it to ramp up production but without curbing quality or safety standards.

The tanks hold hydrogen at 700bar – equivalent to around 700 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level, and had to meet 194 requirements to gain official approval in Japan, and the quality manual and inspection rules can be used not only in house but by affiliated parts suppliers.