Toyota to trial-market fuel cell SUVs

2 July 2002: Toyota will start limited marketing of a fuel cell hybrid (FCHV) sport utility vehicle (SUV) in Japan and the US around the end of this year, much earlier than originally planned.

The earlier launch reflects the successful results of a year of testing in the two countries of the FCHV-4 prototype. Lowering costs, cold temperature performance and other issues remain.  Therefore, the fuel cell-powered SUVs, to be available by lease, will be offered only to select private sectors, technology related companies, institutional organisations and research facilities.

Toyota began testing the FCHV-4 on public roads in Japan in June 2001 and the United States a month later. So far, FCHV-4s have covered a cumulative 110,000 kilometres (68,000 miles) on and off the test track.

June 2002