Toyota is doubling down on its commitment to a hydrogen-powered future, officially renaming its TMNA R&D California office as the North American Hydrogen Headquarters (H2HQ). This strategic move signifies Toyota’s dedication to leading the charge in hydrogen technology, aiming to research, develop, and commercialize a wide range of fuel cell and hydrogen-related products, including the highly anticipated Toyota Hydrogen Car.
The newly renovated H2HQ in Gardena, California, is not just a name change; it’s a revamped workspace designed to foster collaboration and innovation among teams focused on every aspect of hydrogen, from cutting-edge research and development to strategic commercialization and sales of hydrogen technologies. Future enhancements planned for the campus include a state-of-the-art flexible microgrid and a customer education center, underscoring Toyota’s long-term vision for a hydrogen economy.
“For over three decades, Toyota has been at the forefront of hydrogen fuel cell electric solutions. We firmly believe in hydrogen as a scalable, zero-emission technology and a vital component of our diverse electrified portfolio,” stated Ted Ogawa, President and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “The establishment of our North American Hydrogen Headquarters embodies our leadership in fuel cell innovation, driving the creation of practical products that actively contribute to reducing carbon emissions.”
This North American initiative mirrors Toyota’s global hydrogen strategy. Following the establishment of the “Hydrogen Factory” in Japan, aimed at consolidating hydrogen efforts and accelerating product development, Toyota Motor Europe also launched its own “Hydrogen Factory.” H2HQ will serve as the central hub for North American hydrogen activities, focusing on the localization of global technologies and products. This includes not only light-duty applications like the toyota hydrogen car, but also expanding into heavy-duty fuel cell solutions, stationary power generation, and applications within port operations.
The H2HQ facility already boasts impressive resources, including Toyota’s largest dynamometer (1.2 MW), a versatile test bench for stationary applications, and a hydrogen fueling station capable of servicing both light and heavy-duty vehicles. Building upon this foundation, NA H2HQ is poised to become the epicenter for numerous groundbreaking hydrogen projects in the years to come, further solidifying Toyota’s commitment to fuel cell leadership and the advancement of the toyota hydrogen car market.
California State Senator Josh Newman highlighted the significance of Toyota’s investment in the state, stating, “I’m very pleased that Toyota is building on its longstanding commitment to California by locating its North American hydrogen headquarters here in the Golden State. The work done there, along with green hydrogen initiatives throughout the state, is propelling California toward a dynamic, clean-energy economy which will also reduce carbon emissions and foster environmental stewardship while extending California’s leadership in this important space.”
Currently under construction at H2HQ is a flexible microgrid, designed to showcase readily available energy sources. This advanced system will integrate a 230-kW solar photovoltaic system, a 1-MW stationary proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell generator, a 325-kW solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), and a 500-kWh battery energy storage system. This microgrid is engineered to meet the campus’s energy demands and enable off-grid operation, with full functionality expected by 2026. This initiative demonstrates Toyota’s practical approach to sustainable energy solutions and its commitment to proving the viability of hydrogen fuel cell technology beyond just the toyota hydrogen car.
CARB Chair Liane Randolph emphasized the crucial role of Toyota’s hydrogen advancements in achieving California’s ambitious environmental goals. “California has ambitious goals to achieve clean air, carbon neutrality and a vibrant economy. Toyota’s investment to expand their research and development of hydrogen fuel cell technology in our state is an example of the innovation that will accelerate the development and deployment of zero-emissions transportation options, particularly as we decarbonize the goods movement sector,” said Randolph.
Looking ahead, Toyota plans to establish a sustainable education center at the North American Hydrogen HQ. This center will be open for public tours by reservation, providing an opportunity for individuals to delve deeper into Toyota’s sustainability vision and understand the pivotal role hydrogen, and the toyota hydrogen car, will play in realizing a cleaner future.
Decades of Hydrogen Innovation
Toyota’s journey with hydrogen fuel cell technology spans over 30 years, marked by significant milestones. From pioneering the Mirai, one of the first mass-market fuel cell electric passenger vehicles, Toyota has consistently expanded the application of this zero-emission technology. This includes heavy-duty transport solutions, power generation systems, and beyond. The Gardena office has been instrumental in supporting and spearheading numerous fuel cell electric projects throughout this period.
The Fuel Cell Development (FCD) team based at Gardena played a crucial role in the development of the toyota hydrogen car Mirai, launched in 2015. They also actively collaborated with industry partners to foster the growth of hydrogen infrastructure across California, essential for the widespread adoption of fuel cell vehicles.
In 2017, Toyota’s FCD team demonstrated the scalability of fuel cell technology for port decarbonization. By retrofitting a Class 8 truck with a fuel cell electric powertrain utilizing two Mirai fuel-cell stacks, they paved the way for zero-emission heavy-duty trucking. This initiative evolved into a collaboration with Kenworth, resulting in 10 proof-of-concept trucks for the “Shore to Store” ZANZEFF project. This project successfully showcased the viability of hydrogen fuel cells as a zero-emission solution for heavy-duty applications, further validating the technology that powers the toyota hydrogen car and its potential for broader applications. In 2023, PACCAR and Toyota formalized their commitment to commercialization, with Toyota supplying fuel cell powertrain kits from its Kentucky plant as a Tier 1 supplier.
Toyota’s innovation extends beyond transportation, with recent demonstrations in stationary power generation. Partnering with TRD, Toyota developed a stationary fuel cell unit to provide clean electricity at events, successfully replacing traditional diesel generators. Furthermore, Toyota built a 1MW fuel cell electric generator for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado to support microgrid testing. Earlier this year, in collaboration with Kohler, Toyota unveiled a prototype stationary generator for backup emergency power at a hospital in Washington state. These diverse applications highlight the versatility of Toyota’s fuel cell technology and its potential to contribute to a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem, with the toyota hydrogen car as a leading example of its capabilities.
