Toyota Motor obtained the type approval of FC bus for the first time in Japan and started sales from March 7. The type approval certifies safety of the vehicles to be sold newly in compliance with the standard regulated by MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure Transport and Tourism).

In February 2017, with Toyota delivered two FC buses to the Tokyo metropolitan government before getting the approval. The approval at this time seems to be intended with view to the planned introduction of 100 FC buses by 2020.

The biggest difference of the new vehicle (SORA) from the one sold last year is that eight cameras are attached inside and outside of the bus so that images are shown on the monitor of driver’s seat. When the bus is stopped, the movement of pedestrians is detected and informed to the driver with voice and image.

Like the previous vehicle, it is also possible to use the vehicle as an external power supply system at the time of disasters. The maximum output is 9kW (up 1.5kW from the previous vehicle) with a supply power of 235 kWh.
The other specifications are same as before with an overall length of about 10.5 x 2.4 x 3.5m. Ten hydrogen cylinders are loaded of which total inner capacity is 600 liter. The same Toyota fuel cell system “as for Toyota FCV “MIRAI” is loaded. The Environment Bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government purchased three FC buses which had been newly sold, and started services from March 29. The operation route is from the south Marunouchi gate of Tokyo Station to the Tokyo Big Sight.