Toyota is to provide its hydrogen fuel cell technology to Caetanobus SA in Portugal.

In line with its vision of a decarbonised society, Toyota is promoting the application of its hydrogen fuel cell technology beyond passenger cars, including heavy duty trucks, small delivery trucks, forklifts and buses.

In Europe, Toyota will supply its fuel cell systems⁵, including fuel cell stacks, hydrogen tanks and other key components to Caetanobus SA ― the well-known Portuguese bus engineering and production company ― to build hydrogen fuel cell city buses.

The first zero emission fuel cell city buses will roll off the lines of Caetanobus SA, in a little over a year, and are to be operated as demonstration buses by Caetanobus SA.

"Supplying our fuel cell systems to Caetanobus demonstrates the many practical uses and environmental benefits of hydrogen towards a carbon-free society. We're really excited by the prospect of seeing the first buses of our longstanding automotive partner in European cities," said Dr Johan van Zyl, president and CEO, Toyota Motor Europe. "Hydrogen buses have significant advantages compared to other zero emission buses, such as superior driving range and short refuelling time. These benefits allow hydrogen buses to be operated on longer routes and a higher utilisation".

José Ramos, president of Salvador Caetano Indústria holding, commented: "We are very proud to be the first company in Europe to benefit from Toyota's leading fuel cell technology and look forward to confirming our world-class bus development and manufacturing capabilities. We are convinced that hydrogen is a great solution for zero emission buses."

The announcement was made in Lisbon, in presence of some of the highest Portuguese government representatives for mobility and the environment, during the visit of the Energy Observer catamaran, the first hydrogen sea vessel powered purely by renewable solar and hydrogen energy.