Pioneering Hydrogen Truck for Japan’s Logistics Industry
Hino Motors, the commercial vehicle arm of Toyota Group, has launched Japan’s first mass-produced heavy-duty fuel cell truck, the Profia Z FCV. Scheduled for release on October 24, 2025, the Profia Z FCV marks a major milestone in decarbonizing Japan’s logistics sector, where heavy trucks account for approximately 60% of commercial vehicle CO₂ emissions.
Advanced Technology and Design
Built on the established Profia heavy truck platform but with a fully redesigned chassis optimized for fuel cell integration, the Profia Z FCV is equipped with six high-pressure hydrogen tanks storing 50 kg of hydrogen at 70 MPa. Its powertrain integrates two fuel cell stacks adapted from Toyota’s second-generation Mirai, paired with lithium-ion batteries and dual AC synchronous motors— ensuring stable power delivery even under full load.
The truck achieves up to 650 km of highway driving range and refuels in just 15–30 minutes, comparable to diesel vehicles. Measuring 11.99 m long, 2.49 m wide, and 3.78 m high, it offers approximately 11.6 tonnes of payload capacity—ideal for regional logistics.
Rigorous Testing and Real-World Validation
Since 2023, Hino and Toyota have conducted extensive road testing with major logistics partners including Asahi Group, Seino Transportation, Yamato Transport, and NEXT Logistics Japan. These trials accumulated more than 430,000 km of real-world operation, demonstrating an estimated 232-ton reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to diesel trucks.
Drivers have also praised the truck for its quiet operation, immediate torque response, and reduced vibration—greatly improving driving comfort.
Strategic Deployment and Future Prospects
The Profia Z FCV will initially be offered through all-inclusive leasing programs, targeted at five priority regions designated by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for fuel cell truck deployment: Fukushima, Tokyo/Kanagawa, Aichi, Hyogo, and Fukuoka. This staged rollout aims to build operational experience and accelerate hydrogen infrastructure development in high-throughput logistics zones.
Hino also plans to unveil a Level-4 autonomous-capable concept version at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, integrating advanced automation with zero-emission fuel cell technology.
This breakthrough truck shows how hydrogen fuel cell technology can overcome key limitations faced by battery electric trucks—especially around driving range, payload capacity, and fast refueling. As Japan leads this shift, similar deployments across Asia and global markets may follow, marking a significant step toward zero-emission heavy-duty transport.