Toyota to begin leasing advanced fuel cell hybrid vehicle

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has begun leasing its new fuel cell hybrid vehicle model, the TOYOTA FCHV-adv (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle-advanced), to Japan's Ministry of the Environment.

TMC also plans to lease the TOYOTA FCHV-adv, which improves on the cruising distance and low-temperature start-up performance of the previously leased TOYOTA FCHV, to other national government entities, local governments and companies in or related to the energy industry.

By leasing its fuel cell hybrid vehicles, TMC can obtain real-world feedback for further development, including efforts to improve the durability and reduce the cost of its proprietary high-performance polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the Toyota FC Stack.

This leasing, as well as TMC's participation in other cooperative efforts with the government, the energy industry and other parties concerned is aimed at helping to bring about the widespread use of fuel cell vehicles.

TMC became the world's first automaker to commercialise a fuel cell vehicle when it began leasing the TOYOTA FCHV in Japan in December 2002.

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