TOYOTA DOUBLES-DOWN ON ZERO EMISSIONS HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS

Lessons Learned: Increased Range, Improved Process

Project Portal 2.0 builds on the lessons learned from the launch of the Alpha vehicle in 2017. The first heavy-duty truck was the result of a true skunkworks effort within Toyota that moved from initial concept to a fully-capable drayage truck in just over a year. Engineers and technicians worked long hours to reconfigure the wire harnesses, electronics and other components of two off-the-lot Mirai fuel cell electric cars to create one of the world's first OEM-built zero-emission heavy trucks.

The results of their work continue to impress. With a gross combined weight capacity of 80,000 lbs. and a driving range of more than 300 kilometers per fill, the 670-plus horsepower Alpha truck produces 1,325 pound-feet of torque from two Mirai fuel cell stacks and a 12kWh battery. Project Portal Beta maintains these torque and horsepower numbers while also extending the range of the vehicle and pushing forward on other key performance metrics.

"By evaluating the first truck in our test facilities and on actual roads, we made a list of improvements for the Beta truck build process and performance enhancements," said Andrew Lund, Chief Engineer for the project. He continued, "We needed to move beyond a proof of concept, which the first truck accomplished, to something that is not only better than the original but is also more commercially viable."

A Step Toward the Future, Reflections from the Past

The story of Project Portal's inception and evolution follows the long tradition of Toyota innovation that dates to the company's entry into the automotive space. The first Toyota (then Toyoda) sedan, the A1, was produced in much the same manner as the original Project Portal truck - through experimentation, trial and error, and a lot of sweat. Once completed in 1935, the A1 was tested by the company's founder, Kiichiro Toyoda, and then refined into their first commercially available car, the Toyoda AA. Likewise, through the lessons learned with the first truck, Project Portal 2.0 is more refined, functional, and capable. Also, just as the AA started Toyota on a path as an automotive leader, Project Portal is expanding Toyota's already robust environmental leadership to the next level. Going forward, Toyota remains committed to supporting the development of a consumer-facing hydrogen infrastructure to realize the potential of fuel cell vehicles.

A Drop of H₂ in the Bucket

Over 16,000 pollution-emitting trucks are working in Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, a number that is estimated to balloon to 32,000 by 2030. These drayage trucks, and others like them around the world, contribute significant amounts of carcinogens, diesel particulate matter (DPM) and other pollutants into the air of port communities and surrounding neighbourhoods.

"Our goal with the first truck was to see if it could be accomplished, and we did that," said Senior Manager for Toyota's North American Electrified Vehicle & Technologies Office, Craig Scott, "This time, we're looking at commercial viability. We want to help make a difference… a significant difference when it comes to air quality around the globe."

More Than Just Trucks

This announcement is a continuation of Toyota's Environmental Challenge 2050 efforts to eliminate CO₂ emissions from its Toyota Logistics facility at the Port of Long Beach. Toyota has previously announced the construction of the Tri-Gen facility which will be the first megawatt-sized carbonate fuel cell power generation plant with hydrogen fueling in the world. The 100% renewable plant will use agricultural waste to generate water, electricity, and hydrogen that will support Toyota Logistics Services' (TLS) operations at the Port of Long Beach.

About Toyota Canada Inc.

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota has sold over 5 million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 287 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability in the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver. Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than eight million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid.

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