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JR East, Hitachi and Toyota to Develop Hybrid (Fuel Cell) Railway Vehicles Powered by Hydrogen

Test vehicles to be developed by combining railway and automotive technologies

Toyota City, Japan, October 6, 2020-East Japan Railway Company ("JR East"), Hitachi, Ltd. ("Hitachi"), and Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota") have entered into an agreement to collaborate on development of test railway vehicles equipped with hybrid systems that use hydrogen powered fuel cells and storage batteries as their source of electricity. By collaborating to develop these test railway vehicles, we aim to further improve the environmental superiority of railways and realize a sustainable society.

1. Contributing to a Carbon-Free Society with Next-Generation Railway Vehicles

As efforts are made throughout the world to create sustainable societies, the same is also true for the railway sector, a means of mass transport, where there is high anticipation for next-generation rolling stock that operates using clean energy, such as hydrogen. Hydrogen ensures minimal environmental impact as it does not emit any carbon dioxide when used as an energy source and it can be produced from various raw materials using renewable energy.
The development of innovative rolling stock powered by hydrogen will therefore contribute to the development of a low-carbon society as it helps to curb global warming and diversify energy sources.

2. Collaboration to Develop Hybrid (Fuel Cell) Test Vehicles

Combining their railway and automotive technologies, namely JR East's railway vehicle design and manufacturing technologies. Hitachi's railway hybrid drive system technologies developed with JR East, and Toyota's technologies acquired through development of the Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle and the SORA fuel cell bus, the three companies will adapt the fuel cells used in automobiles for railway applications.
Together, they will create hybrid (fuel cell) test vehicles with the aim of achieving the high-power output control necessary to drive railway vehicles, which are much larger than automobiles.

3. Overview of the Hybrid (Fuel Cell) Test Vehicles

(1) Train Configuration

(2) Workings of the Fuel Cell Hybrid System

The hydrogen used to fill the hydrogen tank is supplied to the fuel cell device and undergoes a chemical reaction with oxygen in the air to generate electricity. The main circuit storage battery is charged by electric power from the fuel cell device and by capturing and converting energy to electric power using regenerative braking. The hybrid drive system supplies the electric power to the traction motors from both the fuel cell device and the main circuit storage battery, controlling the movement of the wheels.
Toyota will develop the fuel cell device and Hitachi will develop the hybrid drive system.

(3) Main Specs of the Test Vehicle

(4) Nickname

HYBARI
(HYdrogen-HYBrid Advanced Rail vehicle for Innovation)

This nickname was adopted to evoke an image of an advanced hybrid railway vehicle equipped with fuel cells and a main circuit storage battery that will generate innovation.
"HY" represents "hydrogen," while "HYB" means "hybrid."

Design

Incorporating a blue splash pattern to represent the moistening of the earth and symbolize water generated from the chemical reaction in the fuel cells as a motif, the railway vehicle design conveys both a sense of speed and a futuristic image.

Rendering of the Exterior View

Logo

The lark is known as a harbinger of spring. The HYBARI logo of the test vehicles was designed to represent the introduction of new energy for vehicles like a breath of spring onto the land.

Overview of demonstration testing