Isuzu Motors Limited and Toyota Motor Corporation have announced a partnership to jointly develop next-generation fuel cell (FC) route buses aimed at advancing carbon neutrality. Commercial production is set to begin in fiscal year 2026 (April 2026–March 2027) at the Utsunomiya Plant in Tochigi Prefecture, operated by J-Bus, Ltd.—a joint venture equally owned by Isuzu and Hino Motors Ltd.
The vehicle will be based on the flat-floor battery electric route bus platform planned, developed, and designed by Isuzu and manufactured by J-Bus. Isuzu and Hino—who have been collaborating in the bus segment since 2002—launched this platform in fiscal year 2024. It will be combined with an FC system developed by Toyota. As part of their efforts to realize zero-emission vehicles, Isuzu and Toyota are jointly developing the next-generation FC bus, seeking to reduce costs by standardizing BEV and FCV parts.
Expanding the range of carbon neutral options beyond battery electric buses, Isuzu is working to commercialize the next-generation FC route bus as a new technology. Toyota positions hydrogen as an important energy source in the pursuit of carbon neutrality and is advancing various initiatives in producing, transporting, storing, and using hydrogen in collaboration with a wide range of partners across industries. Together, the two companies will work with local governments and businesses in various regions—including those designated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in May 2025 as Priority Regions for Promoting the Deployment of Fuel-Cell Commercial Vehicles—to contribute to the steady reduction of CO2 emissions by expanding the use of next-generation FC route buses.
 route bus based on Isuzu and Hino’s flat-floor battery electric bus platform, launched in FY2024 and manufactured by J-Bus. The new bus will integrate Toyota’s FC system, with a focus on cost reduction through shared BEV and FCV components. This collaboration aims to expand zero-emission transport options beyond battery electric vehicles, with Isuzu pushing FC bus commercialization and Toyota advancing hydrogen as a key energy source for carbon neutrality.){kind=link}