Hino set to launch Japan’s first mass-produced fuel cell heavy truck

Hino Motors will launch the Profia Z FCV — billed as Japan’s first mass-produced fuel-cell heavy-duty truck — with sales in Japan set to begin October 24.

Developed with Toyota and based on the Hino Profia (known as the 700 Series in Australia and NZ), it uses two Toyota Mirai fuel cell stacks adapted for heavy commercial use. Hino says a loaded vehicle has an estimated range of about 650km, with hydrogen refuelling in 15–30 minutes.

The chassis has been reworked to maximise payload while accommodating fuel-cell hardware, and carries control systems from Hino’s heavy-duty and electric platforms.

The model follows final trial phases using multiple vehicles in customer fleets.

“Globally, Hino is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality – in Japan, the entire domestic freight fleet accounts for 60% of CO2 emissions, and heavy-duty vehicles are a significant contributor to this,” Hino Australia president and chief executive Richard Emery says.

“As we move towards carbon neutrality, it is important to adopt a ‘multi-pathway’ approach to ensure we have the most suitable powertrains for the various applications,” Emery says.

“Fuel cell vehicles, which generate electricity from hydrogen, are well-suited to heavy-duty trucks in long-distance transport operations, as they provide the necessary cruising range, payload capacity, and fast refuelling,” Emery says.