Introduction of Fuel Cell Buses
Fuel Cell Bus © Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation
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Introduction of Fuel Cell Buses
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working on the spread of hydrogen energy to secure a stable energy supply and realize a decarbonized society. One of the initiatives being promoted is the introduction of Fuel Cell Buses (hereafter referred to as FC Buses). These buses, described as the “ultimate eco-car,” generate electricity by chemically reacting hydrogen stored in the bus’s tanks with oxygen in the air inside the fuel cell, powering the motor to drive the bus. Unlike diesel or gasoline vehicles, which emit CO₂ and other harmful pollutants, FC buses do not emit any environmental pollutants no matter how long they are driven. Additionally, because these buses do not have an engine, they produce significantly less noise and vibration, providing a much more comfortable ride than conventional buses.
※1 FC stands for Fuel Cell.
FC Bus Operating in Tokyo (© Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation)
As of April 2024, the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation operates 75 FC buses, the largest fleet in Japan, developed by Toyota Motor Corporation under the name "SORA" (which stands for Sky, Ocean, River, Air, representing the Earth’s water cycle).
※2 SORA: Sky, Ocean, River, Air, representing the Earth’s water cycle (Source: Toyota Motor Corporation).
The SORA FC bus is not only environmentally friendly, but it also has a futuristic appearance and incorporates universal design elements. It features an acceleration control function that limits rapid acceleration, ensuring a smoother start and reducing strain on standing passengers. Furthermore, it has a "Visual Assistance Camera System," which displays images from eight high-definition cameras on the driver’s monitor and alerts the driver to pedestrians or cyclists when the bus stops, ensuring safety. In the event of a disaster, the bus’s large-capacity external power supply system can be used to provide power to shelters or other facilities, helping with emergency support as needed.
Inside View of the FC Bus (© Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation)
More than 100 FC buses are already in service in Tokyo. The Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation has also introduced FC buses on its routes with donations from five companies within Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) in February 2022. This represents a new framework for introducing FC buses.
※3 Companies within MUFG: Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Holdings Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS Co., Ltd., and ACOM Co., Ltd.
Efforts to increase the number of FC buses are ongoing in pursuit of a society where hydrogen energy is used across various sectors.
Fuel Cell Bus Designed with MUFG Corporate Colors (© Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation)
