NEWPORT COAST, Calif., Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Beauty, technology and a hint of the future come together in Toyota's new flagship sedan, the all-new 2021 Mirai. The 2016-2020 Mirai was the first production fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) offered for sale to retail customers in North America. Now, for 2021, Toyota has fully rebooted the Mirai as a premium rear-wheel drive sports-luxury FCEV with striking design, cutting-edge technology, more engaging driving performance and a significantly longer EPA-estimated range rating.

The model name, which means future in Japanese, is wholly appropriate, as the 2021 Mirai is powered by the latest evolution of the brand's advanced fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) powertrain. The new Mirai is one part of an electrification strategy that also includes Toyota's current and future hybrids and upcoming battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Toyota put the auto industry on the road to modern electrification in 1997 with the first Prius hybrid and today remains the global leader in gas/electric hybrid sales.

Built on the rear-wheel drive GA-L platform that also underpins the larger Lexus LS sedan, the 2021 Toyota Mirai makes a major design departure from the front-wheel drive first-generation version. The body is lower, longer, and wider, with its bolder stance accentuated by standard 19-inch alloy wheels.

A more powerful fuel cell system provides a more engaging driving experience than its pioneering forerunner. The rear-wheel drive layout and four-wheel independent suspension deliver a true sports-luxury sedan driving feel, with greater handling agility than before, yet also with a more comfortable ride. The RWD layout also allowed for increased hydrogen storage to boost EPA-estimated range to 402 miles (Mirai XLE grade), a 30 percent increase over the first-generation Mirai.

The new Mirai's clean, modern profile was inspired by coupes, yet the new design is also more practical than before. Improved use of space enables a five-seat cabin versus the four-seat layout in the first-generation Mirai. The new Mirai's interior matches the elegant tone of the exterior.

The 2021 Mirai features more advanced user and safety tech, including Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. This latest generation of Toyota's driver-assist technology suite includes Full Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keep Assist. In addition, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert is standard on the 2021 Mirai.

Electrifying Design, Slippery Aero

The switch to a rear-wheel drive platform delivers a "twofer" in the 2021 Mirai. The new layout facilitates the coupe-like proportions and bolder stance. At the same time, the new platform allowed for a roomier cabin with more usable space on the inside and in the trunk. The result is neither "form follows function" nor the opposite; it is perhaps better described as "form marries function," and it's a beautiful marriage, indeed.

The 2021 Mirai conveys a sense of motion with a classic GT car stance (long-hood, sweeping roofline, short rear deck), rendered in a practical four-door sedan package. The cabin silhouette flows rearward with flush, smooth side surfaces, accented by a dynamic sculpted rocker area with a kickup near the rear wheel.

The body tapers to the rear and blends into an integrated rear spoiler. The effect is that of a single metal form sculpted into a bold shape. The Limited grade is equipped with an exclusive dual-panel panorama roof, which features fixed glass panels and a power sunshade.

The 2021 Mirai will be offered in five exterior colors: Black, Oxygen White, Supersonic Red, Hydro Blue, and Heavy Metal. Hydro Blue, exclusive to the Limited grade, is created with primer, silver base, clear, blue clear, and final clear layers.

The "function" aspect of Mirai manifests in a larger body with more passenger room. Wheelbase, height, length and width are all increased over the first-generation Mirai. Weight increases by just 176 lbs., yet weight distribution improves to near 50:50, and the center of gravity is lower to significantly enhance handling agility.

Sleek Details

The 2021 Mirai introduces a new lighting signature for a Toyota sedan, with long, narrow headlights that sweep rearward into the fenders. Both grades are equipped with auto-leveling bi-beam LED headlights, multi-LED front and rear turn signal indicators, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and clearance lights. The LED side marker lamps are etched with the Mirai logo.

At the rear, a thin LED taillight panel spans the car's width, tapered in the center, and creates a unique nighttime signature with three distinct gradation lines. Color-keyed heated power-folding outside mirrors feature turn signal indicators, defrosters, blind spot warning, and puddle lights.

As much as the new Mirai design catches the eye and tugs at the heart, it is bound to cheat … the wind, that is. The super-low 0.29 coefficient of drag owes not only to the body's shape, but also to details such as optimized airflow through the wheel wells, a flat full undercover, aero stabilizing fins at the front edge of the side windows and windshield wipers that retract to a lower position when not in use.

The wipers show the kind of detail Toyota infused to raise comfort and convenience to a higher level in the Mirai. They feature direct-spray washer fluid arms, and, when in use, operate more quietly thanks to slower speed at the reversing point.

The Mirai XLE grade rides on standard 19-inch five-twin-spoke aerodynamic wheels, with the Limited grade distinguished by black machined-finished versions. The Limited also offers optional 20-inch Super Chrome alloy wheels.

Flagship Accommodations

The Mirai's clean, modern layout is infused with a hint of luxury. The cabin embraces occupants in comfort and understated elegance while making cutting-edge multimedia tech easily accessible.

The concept starts with more interior room than the first-gen Mirai, with clever design that further heightens the feeling of spaciousness. The dash panel appears as a single sculptural form, seamlessly integrating all controls, displays and ventilation. The dash is nearly 3 inches wider than in the first-gen Mirai and is also angled more steeply (28.4 degrees vs. 32.7 degrees), enhancing the feeling of spaciousness.

As on Toyota's GR Supra sports car, the Mirai's dash design flows into the door panels to wrap the driver and passenger, and the driver section is further defined by a console that's more enclosing on that side. The console armrest is a significant 3.7 in. wider and 2.3 in. longer than in the first Mirai.

The feeling of luxury comes through in the choice of materials. Major portions of the dash, as well as the console armrest, are wrapped in SofTex synthetic leather. A seamless punched-metal panel resembling a speaker grille runs atop the dash, concealing the audio speakers and creating a sophisticated textural design element. This motif is repeated on the rear package shelf, as well.

Elegant copper-color or satin chrome metal trim outlines the console and then rises to follow the edge of the SoftTex dash covering. With copper trim, the upholstery stitching is beige; with satin chrome trim, it's gray. The climate control outlet vents blend into a thin horizontal trim panel running just beneath the metal trim line.

Two rows of switches, one below the center display and another within the dash trim below that, are zoned by function. Three-dimensional steps give the steering wheel switches a high-quality feel.

Comfort and Tech: Above and Beyond

The Mirai combines exacting craftsmanship and high tech to give the Mirai comfort that's above the ordinary. Starting with what's "above," the headliner is hardly conventional. An infrared reflective layer on the roof-facing surface blocks that part of the spectrum to help reduce heat buildup inside the cabin, resulting in reduced electrical load on the air conditioning system. Also within the headliner, a layer of Thinsulate™ also helps to block heat as well as provide additional sound damping. The side windows are UV-Protected and water-repellent.

The Mirai XLE grade features SoftTex upholstery and heated, power-adjustable front seats (8-way for driver, 4-way for passenger). The Limited steps up to perforated SoftTex-trimmed heated and ventilated front and rear seats, including an 8-way power front passenger seat.

The Limited interior is available in dramatic two-tone color schemes: white and brown or black. LED ambient lighting includes eight driver-selectable colors and blue footwell illumination. A standard digital rear view mirror with a HomeLink® transmitter in the Limited can be switched from conventional to digital modes. The latter relays an expansive camera view from behind the vehicle and can also brighten the nighttime image.

For rear seat passengers in the Limited, digital touch switches on the rear of the center console operate the audio and climate controls and the panorama roof's power sunshade. The Limited features manual sunshades for the side windows and a power shade for the rear window.

Dual Digital Displays

The Mirai XLE and Limited both employ an 8-inch color TFT LCD digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display. Within the 8-inch gauge cluster, a 4.2-in. multi-information display includes an ECO drive indicator that helps the driver to maximize fuel efficiency by providing acceleration guidance and assigning a score on economical driving. Hydrogen fuel level and remaining range are always shown.

The 12.3-inch display provides easy access for the driver or front passenger, and the multimedia, climate control, and navigation content can be toggled from left and right. Both model grades come standard with a Dynamic Navigation three-year free trial and Premium Audio playing through 14 JBL® speakers, including subwoofer. The system features the latest in-demand connectivity tech, including Bluetooth® wireless technology, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, Amazon Alexa compatibility and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial.

The 12.3-inch display also relays imagery from the Bird's Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan, Overhead 360-Degree View in drive and reverse, and Curb View (standard on Limited and available for XLE).

FCEV: Making Electricity from Hydrogen

Even those familiar with EVs may still be unacquainted with FCEVs. The easiest way to understand an FCEV is that it is a "plug-less" electric vehicle. There's no need to charge the battery, which can take several hours in an EV even with fast charging. Instead, the FCEV driver simply fills the tank with hydrogen in about five minutes, just as millions of drivers do every day with gas vehicles.

With an FCEV, the fuel is non-toxic, compressed hydrogen gas rather than liquid gasoline. As it did with the first-generation Mirai, Toyota will include up to $15,000 of complimentary hydrogen.

An FCEV generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only emission. A fuel cell "stack" combines the stored hydrogen with oxygen from the air, and a chemical reaction that produces electric current, and water, which drops out of a hidden vent pipe beneath the car.

The fuel cell is composed of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. Hydrogen is passed through the anode, and oxygen through the cathode. The hydrogen molecules are split into electrons and protons. As protons pass through the electrolyte membrane, electrons go through a circuit, generating an electric current. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules. There are no other byproducts.

The excess electricity generated by the Mirai's fuel cell and by regenerative braking is stored in a lithium-ion battery. As a result, pressing the accelerator pedal yields immediate flow of electric power jointly from the fuel cell and battery to the rear-mounted AC synchronous electric motor, which drives the rear wheels through a fixed gear ratio.

Smaller, Lighter, More Powerful

The second-gen Mirai features a more highly evolved FC system. Still 650v as in the first Mirai, the next-generation fuel cell stack is about 20 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than the previous stack, and so fits easily under the hood. The new, smaller stack allowed the switch to rear-wheel drive. In comparison, the first-gen Mirai was FWD, and the larger stack was placed under a raised section of the passenger compartment floor.

A compact, lightweight power control unit is now integrated with the FC stack case, further reducing overall system size. Relocating the air intake manifold and optimizing the gas channel separator electrodes and seals has resulted in a 12-percent increase in power output over the first-gen stack (128kw, up from 114kw). That translates to 182 hp and 221 lb-ft. of torque vs. 151 hp and 247 lb-ft for the first-gen Mirai.

In the 2021 Mirai, a lithium-ion battery is smaller and lighter (98.3 lb. vs. 103.4 lb.) and has higher capacity than the nickel metal-hydride battery used in the first-gen model (310.8v and 4.0 Ah, compared to 244.8v and 6.5 Ah in the earlier car). The more compact battery package fits between the rear seat and trunk, and the trunk can carry 2-3 golf bags. Cooling air for the battery is silently pulled in from the cabin.

In the Toyota Mirai, compressed hydrogen fuel is stored in three 10,000-psi carbon-fiber-reinforced high-pressure tanks: one mounted longitudinally in the center of the car; another mounted transversely under the rear seat, and a third below the battery. The three tanks together hold about 11 pounds of hydrogen.

Electric "Supercharger"

There's no combustion in an FCEV, of course, but there is a kind of air supercharger. An electric air compressor pressurizes the intake air, and a water-cooled intercooler reduces the temperature of the compressed air before it enters the FC stack. A water-cooled oil cooler integrated with the air compressor helps to provide reliability.

The intake system is designed to mitigate noise, which will be virtually unnoticeable to occupants. The inlet design and sound-absorbing material in the air cleaner prevent air column resonance. By necessity, the intake air for the fuel cell must be purified; the electret air cleaner element captures ultra-fine particles (PM 2.5), and a charcoal filter removes chemical substances. The resulting air released from the system is cleaner than the intake air.

Driving the Mirai

Driving the Toyota Mirai is like driving a Toyota Hybrid – meaning a thoroughly "normal" experience. Get in, buckle up, push the Start button, and the Mirai is ready to drive immediately. Shift the gear selector into D, and off you go. While the 2021 Mirai will initially be offered only in California, it is fully optimized for cold weather operation; the FC system has been tested in extremely cold conditions and can start at an outside temperature as low as -22°F. 

Operation of the FC system and battery is seamless. Normal initial acceleration uses battery energy, like a battery EV would. After initial acceleration, it smoothly transitions to FC+EV operation, and then fully to FC power to the EV drivetrain when cruising. As a result, the driver feels a natural, linear response to the accelerator.

Like a Toyota hybrid vehicle, the FC also sends electricity to be stored in the battery, and the battery is also charged by the motor-generator during deceleration. Direct current from the battery is converted into three-phase alternating current for the FC air compressor and the electric drive motor. In the 2021 Mirai, a second DC/DC converter augments the main DC/DC converter to respond to the auxiliary load increase.

The Mirai provides excellent everyday driving performance, for example accelerating from 25 mph to 45 mph in 2.8 seconds. The driver can tailor the driving feel via the Drive Mode Select switch, which offers ECO, NORMAL and SPORT modes. NORMAL provides an excellent balance between driving performance and fuel efficiency. Selecting ECO mode prioritizes efficiency by optimizing air conditioning operation, while SPORT mode quickens accelerator response and tightens steering feel for a more dynamic driving experience.

As on Toyota Hybrids, Predictive Efficient Drive can learn repeatedly traveled routes to optimize charging and discharging of the battery to help maximize fuel economy and driving range.

Luxury Car Chassis

To make the second-generation Mirai its new sedan flagship, Toyota based it on the GA-L platform also used for the Lexus LS sedan. (The LS uses a larger version of the platform.) The change to rear-wheel drive and resulting new layout for the FC system and EV powertrain yield a near 50:50 weight distribution, versus 58:42 for the front-wheel drive first-gen Mirai.

The high-strength platform provides the foundation for superb handling agility and an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride. Laser screw welding and adhesive structure bonding, proven on many other Toyota and Lexus models, are among the construction techniques used to give the Mirai a truly premium feel on the road.

The suspension is completely new and fully befitting a flagship luxury-sport sedan. Sophisticated multilink suspension replaces strut-type front suspension and beam axle rear suspension used for the first-gen Mirai. Suspension geometry and stiffness provide highly responsive, direct-feeling steering. The result is a much higher level of handling precision, giving the second-gen Mirai a distinctly sporting feel to match its future-looking powertrain.

Active Cornering Assist engages the stability control to reduce understeer in certain cornering situations. Hill Start Assist Control, standard for both grades, allows smoother, safe takeoffs from stops on hills.

Electric power steering delivers quick response, with a tight 38.6-ft. turning circle for easy maneuverability. Both the XLE and Limited grades are equipped with 19 x 8-inch alloy wheels and 235/55R19 all-season tires. The Limited in addition offers optional 20 x 8.5-inch turbine-style Super Chrome alloy wheels with 245/45ZR20 tires.

Mirai Safety

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ equips the 2021 Mirai to help avoid collisions or mitigate their impact. Also featured on other 2021 Toyotas, including the Camry and Highlander, TSS 2.5+ is the next phase in Toyota's evolution of active safety systems. A number of functions that are part of the Toyota Safety Sense have been enhanced.

For starters, the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), features multiple enhancements. By enhancing the system capabilities, it is now possible for the system to help detect not only the vehicle ahead but also a preceding bicyclist in daytime and even a preceding pedestrian in low-light conditions. TSS 2.5+ also enhances the PCS w/PD system with intersection support. At intersections, the system may detect an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian when performing a left-hand turn and may provide audio/visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions. Additional PCS functions include emergency steering assist, which is designed to stabilize the driver's emergency steering maneuvers within their lane while avoiding a preceding pedestrian, bicyclist or vehicle.

Each Mirai comes equipped with Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), which can activate the feature above 30 mph, have a system designed to perform vehicle-to-vehicle distance controls down to 0 mph and resume from a stop. DRCC also includes a new feature that allows for smoother overtaking of slower vehicles. If traveling behind a vehicle traveling slower than the preset speed, once the driver engages the turn signal and initiates steering input the system will provide an initial increase in acceleration in preparation for changing lanes; after changing lanes, the vehicle will continue acceleration until it reaches the preset driving speed.

Lane Departure Alert is designed to help notify the driver via steering wheel vibrations or audible alert if it senses the vehicle is leaving the lane without engaging a turn signal. When DRCC is set and engaged, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) is designed to assist the driver by providing a slight steering force to help center the vehicle in its lane using visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle.

Additional TSS 2.5+ features include Automatic High Beams, which detects preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switches between high beam and low beam headlights. Road Sign Assist (RSA), which is designed to recognize certain road sign information using a forward-facing camera and display them on the multi-information display (MID). With DRCC engaged and activated, RSA can also adjust speed up to the posted speed limit if driving slower or down to the posted speed limit if driving faster than posted.

In addition to the TSS 2.5+ system, to help Mirai drivers change lanes with confidence, Blind Spot Monitor is designed to help detect and warn you of vehicles approaching or positioned in the adjacent lanes. Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) can offer added peace of mind by helping to detect vehicles approaching from either side while backing out and alerting you with a visual and audible warning.

Two-Grade Model Strategy

Toyota will offer the 2021 Mirai in two grades, XLE and Limited, rather than only a top-of-line mono-spec version as with the first-generation model. The new strategy will make the Mirai accessible to a wider market.

The Mirai XLE comes well equipped with standard SofTex-trimmed seating featuring heated, 8-way power driver and 4-way power passenger seats; dual-zone automatic climate control with remote feature; Smart Key System remote keyless entry system with trunk-release, panic button and remote illuminated entry; auto-leveling LED headlamps; LED front interior reading lights; Toyota Premium Multimedia system with navigation and 14 JBL speakers; Qi wireless charger; power tilt/telescoping steering wheel; auto-dimming rearview mirror, and electronic parking brake.

Connected Services include Safety Connect® with 1-year trial; Service Connect with 10-year trial; Remote Connect with 1-year trial; Wi-Fi Connect with up to 2 GB within 3-month trial, and Destination Assist with 1-year trial. (See toyota.com/connected-services and toyota.com/audio-multimedia for details.)

As an option, the XLE offers the Advanced Technology Package that includes Bird's Eye View Camera, Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automated Braking, and Front Seat Foot Illumination.

The Mirai Limited grade makes those features standard, along with ventilated front seats, heated rear seating, three-zone automatic climate control (two-zone in front, one-zone in rear with separate digital control panel), ambient lighting, and a panorama roof.

Mirai Pricing

The 2021 Mirai will roll into dealers with more grades, more options and a lower starting MSRP. The Mirai XLE grade has a starting MSRP of $49,500, which is $9,050 less than the starting MSRP of the outgoing 2020 Mirai. An Advanced Technology Package, which includes Bird's Eye View camera, front and rear Parking Assist with Automated Braking and front seat foot illumination, can be added to the XLE for $1,410.

The Limited grade has a starting MSRP of $66,000, with optional 20" Super Chrome Alloy wheels available for an additional $1,120. Both the XLE and Limited grades have a Special Color price of $425 for Oxygen White, Heavy Metal, Supersonic Red and Hydro Blue (Limited only).

Mirai XLE grade will have a starting lease price of $499 a month, while the Limited grade lease pricing starts at $549 a month. Special launch incentives will be available when this next-generation Mirai first goes on sale, including special finance rates, retail cash back and launch cash back.

Each Mirai comes with up to $15,000 of complimentary hydrogen. Extended ToyotaCare, good for three years or 35,000 miles, will come standard with each Mirai. Other owner benefits include roadside assistance for three years (unlimited miles), an eight-year/100,000-mile FCEV warranty on key fuel cell electric vehicle components, a complimentary rental experience for up to 21 days during the first three years of ownership, and much more.

Toyota's Fuel Cell Future

Toyota, projects that fuel cell electric technology will one day be as common as the company's hybrid electric technology.

Fuel cell technology pre-dates the automobile by half a century. In 1838, a Welsh physicist combined hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of an electrolyte and produced an electric current, though not enough to be useful. By the 1960s, the technology was being used in America's Gemini and Apollo spacecraft, where it provided crews with both electricity and water from stored hydrogen and oxygen.

Fuel cells had been studied for the automotive sector, but the technology only recently became practical and cost-effective. Toyota began its fuel cell development around the same time as its original Prius nearly 25 years ago, and the Mirai shares technology from the company's hybrid program.

Toyota developed the solid-polymer electrolyte fuel cells used in the first- and second-generation Mirai models. To help foster FCEV proliferation, the company has released over 5000 of its patents, royalty-free.

Toyota remains committed to fuel cell technology as a powertrain for the future. It is a scalable technology that can be made small enough to power a phone or large enough to power a building, or anything in between. For example, Toyota recently installed fuel cell powertrains in a fleet of Kenworth class-8 semi-trucks that are rated for a maximum 80,000-pound load. These big rigs are currently used for moving freight in and around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.

More FCEVs will be entering the market over the next few years, as the cost, size and weight of fuel cell systems are reduced and the fueling infrastructure grows.

Ample Domestic Fuel Supply

Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of domestic resources. The goal of the Hydrogen Council, for which Toyota is a founding member, is to use decarbonized hydrogen for transportation such as that produced from bio-resources or renewable electricity via electrolysis by 2030. As of November 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center indicated 43 hydrogen fueling stations open in California, plus one in Hawaii. Toyota has joined with other manufacturers, as well as local governments, to help expand the number of hydrogen fueling stations that are built each year and to expand the market.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. 

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30 million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including our joint venture in Alabama that is scheduled to begin production in 2021.

To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Media Contacts:

Nathan Kokes
469-292-3103
nathan.kokes@toyota.com

Zachary Reed
469-292-3499
zachary.reed@toyota.com

Note to Editors: Photos and b-roll can be found on ToyotaNewsroom.com 

For customer inquiries, please call: 800-331-4331

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SOURCE Toyota

PLANO, Texas, Dec. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota's next generation fuel cell electric technology is now powering a new set of Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. Using the same fuel cell system as the all-new 2021 Mirai sedan that goes on sale this month, the engineers at Toyota Motor North America Research and Development have developed a set of production-intent prototype trucks that are being prepared to run drayage routes at the ports of L.A. and Long Beach to validate their performance, efficiency and drivability.

Designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of a wide variety of OEM truck makers, the new fuel cell electric system in the latest prototypes has been adapted to a Kenworth T680 chassis. A more compact hydrogen storage cabinet behind the cab houses six hydrogen tanks with the same capacity as previous prototypes while a new, more powerful lithium-ion battery helps smooth out the power flow to the electric motors. In this configuration, the second generation fuel cell system delivers over 300 miles of range at a full load weight of 80,000 lbs., all while demonstrating exceptional drivability, quiet operation, and zero harmful emissions.

"This is an important step in the transition to emissions-free heavy-duty trucks," said Andrew Lund, chief engineer, Toyota Motor North America Research and Development. "Our first prototype trucks proved that a fuel cell electric powertrain was capable of hauling heavy cargo on a daily basis. These new prototypes not only use production-intent hardware, they will also allow us to start looking beyond drayage into broader applications of this proven technology."

Reducing airborne pollution at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach is an important driver of this program. Toyota's Environmental Challenge 2050 aims to almost completely eliminate CO2 emissions from our vehicles, operations and supply chain by 2050. Converting the drayage trucks that currently serve these ports to electric drivetrains would move us closer to that goal while improving the quality of life of operators, workers, and communities in and around the ports.  

TMNA R&D

Toyota Motor North America Research & Development (TMNA R&D) aims to redefine next-generation vehicles to more than simply a form of transportation.  Since 2003, Toyota has been awarded more patents than any other automaker, including autonomous vehicle patents (more than 1,400). Centered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Toyota TMNA R&D puts the brightest thinkers from across the globe together to focus on letting people live more safely and comfortably. Globally, Toyota spends approximately $1 million per hour on R&D to ensure that Toyota rapidly and continuously develops cutting-edge, high-quality, and appealing vehicles. 

Media Contacts:

Ed Hellwig
469-292-1165
edward.hellwig@toyota.com

Brian Lyons
469-292-3573
brian.lyons@toyota.com

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Iwatani Corporation of America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iwatani Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 8088) and Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM) jointly announced today that Toyota will support Iwatani's plans to significantly expand the number of open retail hydrogen fueling stations by nearly 25 percent in Southern California and represents an increase of 6,300 kilograms per day of hydrogen fuel dispensing capacity. Construction of the new stations is anticipated to commence in early 2021 followed by commissioning of the first stations by midyear. All seven stations will be open to the public, providing hydrogen fuel to consumers in support of the rapidly growing demand for zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

The seven new retail stations will deploy the latest H2Station™ hydrogen fuel dispensing technology provided by Nel Hydrogen. Each station will have two fueling positions and each will be capable of supplying up to 900 kilograms of hydrogen per day.

This expansion is Iwatani's largest to date single investment in California and will bring the company's total global hydrogen refueling station network to 64.

Joseph S. Cappello, CEO of Iwatani Corporation of America, commented, "Iwatani is truly privileged to collaborate with Toyota and Nel Hydrogen, two leaders in the Hydrogen Society, to bring world-class, hydrogen re-fueling technology to the California mobility market. The seven new stations in California are the latest demonstration of Iwatani's commitment to investing in California's light and heavy-duty hydrogen infrastructure and to create new jobs in the state."

"Expanding the refueling station infrastructure in California is evidence of the growing demand for zero emission vehicles, we look forward to supporting Iwatani America in this next phase," said Doug Murtha, Toyota Motor North America's group vice president of corporate strategy and planning. "Our second generation and all-new 2021 Toyota Mirai will be arriving at dealers later this year, so it's the perfect time to grow the hydrogen fueling network."

Ulrik Torp Svendsen, Key Account Manager, Nel Hydrogen commented, "From Nel we are very honored that Iwatani and Toyota have selected our H2Station™ hydrogen fueling station solutions for strengthening the hydrogen infrastructure in Southern California. The stations will serve existing as well as new fuel cell electric vehicles, such as the next generation Toyota Mirai, with zero-emission fuel, at the same convenience as conventional fuels. With our Nel Inc. entity currently based in the San Francisco area we now look forward to expanding our business in California and supporting Iwatani." 

About Iwatani Corporation's Commitment to Hydrogen

Since 1941, Iwatani has regarded hydrogen as the ultimate clean energy source and has consistently engaged in initiatives to encourage its widespread use. Under the corporate slogan "A world where all enjoy true comfort – this is Iwatani's desire," Iwatani strives to solve environmental concerns with the aim of achieving a carbon- free society through the use of hydrogen.

Iwatani is Japan's only fully integrated supplier of hydrogen and presently supplies its base of light and heavy-duty hydrogen refueling stations and industrial customers via five liquid and ten gaseous hydrogen production plants throughout the country. In addition, Iwatani is a steering member of the Hydrogen Council, a global initiative of leading energy, transport and industry companies, with a united vision and long-term ambitions for hydrogen to foster the energy transition. Iwatani is developing hydrogen refueling stations with the aim of stimulating new hydrogen demand and supporting the widespread distribution of FCEVs.

Relevant initiatives are being promoted in cooperation with Japan H₂ Mobility, which was jointly established by infrastructure operators, automakers, financial investors and other stakeholders as the driving force for developing hydrogen refueling stations. Iwatani participates in initiatives involving carbon-free hydrogen, including a demonstration project for the production, transportation and storage of large quantities of liquid hydrogen in Australia, and the Fukushima Plan for a New Energy Society—one of the world's largest hydrogen production projects, using renewable energy with zero CO₂ emissions. In addition, Iwatani is an executive member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership and a member of the California Hydrogen Business Council and the Hydrogen Safety Council of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Iwatani Corporation of America has headquarter offices in Houston, Texas and Santa Clara, California.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold nearly 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

About Nel Hydrogen

Nel ASA (OSE:NEL)  is a global, dedicated hydrogen company, delivering optimal solutions to produce, store and distribute hydrogen from renewable energy. We serve industries, energy and gas companies with leading hydrogen technology. Since its foundation in 1927, Nel has a proud history of development and continual improvement of hydrogen plants. Our hydrogen solutions cover the entire value chain from hydrogen production technologies to manufacturing of hydrogen fueling stations, providing all fuel cell electric vehicles with the same fast fueling and long range as conventional vehicles today.

Media Contact:
Tania Saldana
Tania.saldana@toyota.com
859-815-9968

Rebecca Pancheri
Rpancheri@iwatani.com

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the rapidly expanding interest in heavy-duty electric trucks, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Hino Trucks have agreed to jointly develop a Class 8 fuel cell electric truck (FCET) for the North American market.

The companies will leverage the newly developed Hino XL Series chassis with Toyota's proven fuel cell technology to deliver exceptional capability without harmful emissions. This collaboration expands upon the existing effort to develop a 25-ton FCET for the Japanese market which was announced earlier this year. The initial demonstration vehicle is expected to arrive in the first half of 2021.

"A fuel cell powered version of the Hino XL Series is a win-win for both customers and the community. It will be quiet, smooth and powerful while emitting nothing but water," said Tak Yokoo, senior executive engineer, Toyota Research and Development. "Toyota's twenty plus years of fuel cell technology combined with Hino's heavy-duty truck experience will create an innovative and capable product."

"Expanding upon our proud heritage of the Hino powertrain, Toyota fuel cell technology offers our customers a commercially viable, extended range, zero emissions vehicle in the near term," said Glenn Ellis, Hino's Senior Vice President Customer Experience. "Hino shares a common focus with Toyota when it comes to durability, reliability, and innovation with the customer at the center of design which makes this collaboration a game changer."

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold nearly 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

About Hino

Hino Trucks, a Toyota Group Company, assembles, sells, and services a lineup of Class 4-8 diesel commercial trucks in the United States. Hino Trucks is the premier heavy & medium duty nameplate in the United States with a product lineup that offers fully connected vehicles with low total cost of ownership, superior fuel economy, unmatched reliability and maneuverability and the most comprehensive bundle of standard features in the market. Headquartered in Novi, Michigan, Hino has a network of over 230 dealers nationwide committed to achieving excellence in customer service and support. Learn more about Hino Trucks at http://www.hino.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Media Contacts:

Ed Hellwig
469-292-1165
edward.hellwig@toyota.com

Dominik Beckman
248-699-9391
beckman@hino.com

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

CENTRALIA, Wash., Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) in partnership with the Douglas County Public Utility District, the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, and Toyota Motor North America today received a $1.9 million grant from the Centralia Coal Transition Board to fund the Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Project, which will deliver the first hydrogen fueling station for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) in Washington State.

With the funding provided by the Board, the Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Project will lay the foundation for the expected growth of zero-emission personal and heavy-duty hydrogen powered fuel cell electric vehicles. The Centralia Coal Transition Board provides grants to improve energy efficiency, educate and retrain workers for the next generation of jobs, and fund energy technology projects that improve our environment.

The renewable hydrogen will be made from Douglas County PUD's clean, renewable hydropower via electrolysis, a process in which electricity is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Renewable hydrogen holds the potential to substantially reduce carbon emissions from a multitude of sectors including transportation, agriculture, petroleum refining, and natural gas utilities.

"I am excited to see the Centralia Coal Transition Board and Douglas County PUD move forward with this innovative project. As Washington continues to transition to a clean energy economy, zero-emission fuels, like renewable hydrogen, can play an important role in decarbonizing our transportation, energy, and industrial sectors. Transitioning to clean fuels as soon as possible is critical to meeting our climate goals," said Governor Jay Inslee.

Bi-partisan support to develop renewable hydrogen production began with Sen. Brad Hawkins' (R-East Wenatchee) sponsorship of SB 5588 in 2019, providing authority for the state's Public Utility Districts to produce and distribute renewable hydrogen. HB 2042, the Green Transportation Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) and Rep. Ed Orcutt (R-Kalama) included incentives for development of renewable hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure. Rep. Mike Steele (R-Chelan) secured funding for Douglas PUD to begin engineering their production facility.

"This project will deliver a transformational demonstration of renewable hydrogen that has the real potential to bring more zero emission vehicles to our roads and reduce harmful emissions," said Evan Ramsey, Senior Director of the Renewables Program at BEF. "By pairing renewable hydrogen production with the first fuel cell electric vehicle fleet in Washington, the project will build public awareness around hydrogen and fuel cell technology and assist the state in expanding support of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle transportation in the coming years."

Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle technology is an emerging priority for several automotive manufacturers, including Toyota Motor North America. These vehicles offer long range (more than 300 miles) and fast fueling (less than 5 minutes), which is comparable in range and fueling time to conventional vehicles.

"The opportunity to demonstrate fuel cell electric vehicle technology has never been timelier as Douglas County PUD is currently procuring a first of its kind renewable hydrogen electrolyzer facility, which can provide clean fuel to Washington State," said Molly Simpson, Douglas County PUD's Commission President. "This project will pair our new renewable hydrogen production facility with a new hydrogen fueling station and begin by serving a fleet of approximately 10 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles."

The hydrogen station in Washington State is expected to open in late 2021, with the vehicles in demonstration fleets shortly thereafter. Initial site selection will target locations with proximity to public fleets in the Lewis and southern Thurston County area—and also halfway between the Seattle and Vancouver/Portland metro areas.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation

The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is a 501c3 nonprofit working on energy, carbon and water. BEF believes that addressing the climate crisis requires partnership and innovation. BEF strives to break down barriers to renewable energy through education, awareness, and creative solutions.  

Douglas County Public Utility District

Douglas County Public Utility District is a locally owned, nonprofit public utility district who strives to provide the best possible utility services at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound business principles.

Media Contact
Evan Ramsey, eramsey@b-e-f.org 

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

PLANO, Texas, Aug. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota is adding 10.8 acres of new solar arrays across the company's plants in Alabama, Missouri and West Virginia, reducing its reliance on outside energy needed for operations. The solar arrays will offset 6,480,000 kWh energy – the equivalent of powering nearly 800 homes per year.

Toyota's $9.3 million solar investment will generate 4.95 megawatts of energy and reduce CO2 emissions at the plants by 4,304 metric tons annually.

"Toyota continuously looks for new ways to reduce water usage, recycle materials and conserve energy, and we are proud to add solar panels to our line-up of best practices," said Kevin Bell, TMNA Energy Manager. "We are committed to setting an example of sustainability to show how a company can significantly reduce the environmental impact of its operations."

The new solar arrays join similar projects at Toyota plants in Texas and Mississippi, all of which support the company's global Environmental Challenge 2050 to eliminate all carbon emissions from manufacturing by the middle of the century. Toyota Motor Corporation issued the Challenge as a set of six goals with a target of achieving beyond zero environmental impact. Toyota is one of the top 20 corporate users of installed onsite solar capacity in the U.S., according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Alabama
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama (TMMAL)

The Huntsville engine plant's 3.3-acre solar array will be the largest constructed to date in Madison County, Alabama. The $2.7 million investment will generate 1.6 megawatts of solar-generated energy and reduce CO2 emissions at the plant by 1,732 metric tons annually.  The project is expected to be complete by December 2020.

Since starting production in 2003, the engine plant has expanded five times with a total of $1.2 billion invested. 1,400 team members currently build approximately 2,500 engines per day that go into 1/3 of Toyota vehicles produced in North America, making it one of the largest Toyota engine plants globally. 

Missouri
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Missouri (TMMMO)

The solar array at Toyota's unit plant in Troy, Mo. will span 1.5 acres and generate 0.75 megawatts of solar-generated energy. The project will be the largest solar array in Lincoln County, Missouri. The $1.7 million investment will reduce CO2 emissions at the plant by 750 metric tons annually. The project is expected to be complete in January 2021.

TMMMO team members produce cylinder heads for every Toyota vehicle built in North America. The plant started production in 1991 and has grown to over 900 employees with $455 million invested. 

West Virginia
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia (TMMWV)

Toyota's engine and transmission plant in Buffalo, W. Va. will be the largest solar array in the state. The array will span 6 acres and generate 2.6 megawatts of solar-generated energy. The $4.9 million investment will reduce CO2 emissions at the plant by 1,822 metric tons annually. The project is expected to be complete in March 2021.

Established in 1996, TMMWV manufactures nearly one million engines and transmissions for the Toyota Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Rav4 and Lexus ES and RX350. Additionally, in June 2020 TMMWV became the first Toyota facility in North America to begin producing hybrid transaxles, which are built for the Highlander and Sienna.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Contact:  Kim Ogle, kim.ogle@toyota.com, 256.714.3633

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

BOSTON, Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fraunhofer TechBridge is now accepting applications for the H₂ Refuel Accelerator, in partnership with two of the country's leading cleantech startup incubators, Urban Future Lab at NYU Tandon in Brooklyn, NY and Greentown Labs in Somerville, MA. The H₂ Refuel Accelerator, sponsored by Shell, Toyota and NYSERDA, is seeking innovations for the adoption of hydrogen infrastructure and supply chain technologies through cost reduction, reliability and new capabilities. Solutions of interest to both Shell and Toyota include, among others:

• Startup technologies that promote reduction of capital costs, operating costs or streamlining of infrastructure construction
• Startup technologies that increase the reliability of hydrogen infrastructure and capabilities on a global scale
• New capabilities in the full range of the hydrogen value chain and infrastructure

Applicants will be evaluated based on the potential impact of their solution to enhance current and future markets using hydrogen as an energy source for mobility. This program offers unparalleled collaboration opportunities for startups that want to bring their technology from concept to market with the support of Shell and Toyota. The selected awardee(s) are eligible for one or more of the following:

• Up to $50,000 in startup technology validation, demonstration and piloting services from Fraunhofer USA Centers or Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Institutes
• Desk space at one or both of the partnered incubators
• 80+ hours of training and mentorship from the region's top business and industry experts
• Access to mentors and connections from Shell and Toyota's networks as well as the combined networks of the Urban Future Lab and Greentown Labs

Moreover, this opportunity provides the context and framework to build close relationships with Shell and Toyota which may, upon program conclusion, potentially result in an investment, joint development agreement, technical project, pilot and/or additional partnership format(s).

Through the synergistic capabilities of Urban Future Lab, Greentown Labs and the Fraunhofer TechBridge Program, innovative energy-related startups and larger corporate partners are able to mitigate the 'industry-readiness barrier' and form lasting and meaningful partnerships. Urban Future Lab, Greentown Labs and Fraunhofer TechBridge lead the Northeast community in their capacity to build, test and launch successful game-changing energy technologies into the marketplace. The combination of incubation space, services and technical capacity provided by Urban Future Lab, Greentown Labs and Fraunhofer TechBridge offer one of the most successful technology acceleration models in the country.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is supporting the H₂ Refuel Accelerator through its ACRE incubator at the Urban Future Lab. This funding will be used to accelerate the commercialization of promising clean energy technology in New York State through collaboration with industry leading corporations and partners.  Additionally, this program provides an opportunity to attract fuel cell companies to and showcase fuel cell companies from New York State helping to grow New York State's cleantech economy.

Proposals are due by March 13, 2019 at: www.h2refuelaccelerator.com. Applicant and awardees' intellectual property is fully protected throughout the review process and the accelerator program.

About the Accelerator Partners

Urban Future Lab
Urban Future Lab provides unmatched access to strategic advisement, introductions to industry stakeholders, marketing and branding support, investor networks, and access to a community of like-minded founders. UFL is leading the way to a more sustainable world by connecting people, capital, and purpose to advance market-ready solutions to address climate change. Our flagship program is ACRE, New York City's premier business incubator for cleantech and smart city startups and is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. It has been supporting market ready solutions to climate change since 2009, boasting a 90% survival rate of incubated startups which have now raised more than $380M from the private markets and employ more than 340 people. The UFL is part of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and is located in the Downtown Brooklyn. For more information, please visit ufl.nyc or find us on Twitter.

Greentown Labs
Greentown Labs is a community of bold, passionate entrepreneurs creating game-changing energy technologies that transform the way we live, work, and play. Located in Somerville, Mass., and founded in 2011, the Greentown Labs Global Center for Cleantech Innovation is the largest cleantech incubator in the United States, operating a 100,000 sq. ft. campus comprised of prototyping and wet lab space, shared office space, a machine shop, electronics lab, and a curated suite of programs and resources. Greentown Labs is home to more than 90 startups that collectively employ more than 1,000 people and have raised more than $350 million in funding. The incubators' mission is to provide startups with the community, resources, and space they need to solve today's biggest energy and environmental challenges. For more information, please visit www.greentownlabs.com or www.twitter.com/GreentownLabs.

Fraunhofer CSE and the TechBridge Program
The TechBridge Program is organized by the Fraunhofer USA Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE in the United States. The core offering of TechBridge is applied, industry-focused R&D projects performed for entrepreneurs by Fraunhofer with the goal of de-risking novel technologies for the private sector. Projects may take the form of developing and testing prototypes, deploying field demonstrations, performing third-party validation, generating test data, or manufacturability studies. These projects bring promising technologies closer to market and make them more attractive for private sector investment, industry adoption, and scale-up funding, ultimately leading to the accelerated success of entrepreneurs and businesses. For more information on Fraunhofer TechBridge, please visit cse.fraunhofer.org/techbridge or follow us on Twitter.

About the Sponsors

Shell
Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 17,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future.

Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 47,000 people (more than 37,000 in the U.S.).  Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2018 – and about 87 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today. 

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Fraunhofer TechBridge Contact
Nick Rancis
Fraunhofer TechBridge Program Lead
techbridgemarketing@cse.fraunhofer.org

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SOURCE Fraunhofer USA, Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Equilon Enterprises LLC, doing business as Shell Oil Products US ("Shell"), and Toyota have been provisionally awarded $8 million by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop the first hydrogen-truck refueling station at the Port of Long Beach. 

The funding, which is contingent upon the approval of the project at an upcoming CEC meeting, forms part of the CEC's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, which helps develop hydrogen and electric infrastructure at ports, warehousing and distribution centers in California. 

Shell and Toyota expect the facility to encourage the use of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in and around Long Beach, one of the world's largest freight hubs.

"This station will help the hydrogen-fueled freight sector to flourish in California," said Oliver Bishop, Hydrogen General Manager at Shell.  "Hydrogen offers a promising path for decarbonizing transport, particularly the heavy-duty sector where there are few alternatives to conventional fuel. Shell and Toyota will combine their expertise to deliver an effective alternative fuel for Californian freight."

If approved, Shell will build, own and operate a hydrogen station at the Toyota Logistics Services location at the Port of Long Beach, fueling Toyota's Project Portal heavy-duty fuel cell proof of concept truck and public fleets.

"We greatly appreciate the CEC for recognizing the importance of this breakthrough project at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles," said Craig Scott, Director Advanced Technology Vehicles, Toyota Motor North America. "Toyota continues to demonstrate that fuel cells are one of the most innovative and sustainable technologies for light and heavy-duty vehicle electrification. This initiative with Shell further strengthens our combined commitment to hydrogen as a viable transport fuel and complements our retail station project in Northern California."

Shell will source its hydrogen from Toyota's adjacent Tri-Gen facility, which produces hydrogen from 100% renewable biogas. 

The Notice of Proposed Award was issued on April 6. For more information see:  http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/GFO-17-603_NOPA.pdf

About Shell
Shell is an integrated energy and petrochemicals company, with an average of 86,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Shell aims to meet the world's growing demand for energy in ways that are economically, environmentally and socially responsible.

Shell is investing in the development of alternative transport fuels including biofuels, liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen and electric mobility.

Shell is taking part in various initiatives to encourage the adoption of hydrogen as a transport fuel. In California, Shell is working alongside Toyota and Honda to expand the hydrogen refueling network. We currently operate two hydrogen fueling stations in Southern California, with seven more planned throughout the state to help push California closer to its goal of 200 hydrogen stations by 2025.

In Germany, Shell is working with the government and industry partners in a cross-sector joint venture, H2 Mobility Germany, to support the development of a nationwide expansion of hydrogen refueling stations.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 47,000 people (more than 37,000 in the U.S.).  Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2017 – and about 87 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today.  

Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We share company resources and extensive know-how to support non-profits to help expand their ability to assist more people move more places. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com. 

Cautionary Note

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this news release "Shell", "Shell group" and "Royal Dutch Shell" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to Royal Dutch Shell plc and subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ''Subsidiaries'', "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this news release refer to entities over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as "joint ventures" and "joint operations", respectively.  Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as "associates". The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This news release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "aim", "ambition', ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''could'', ''estimate'', ''expect'', ''goals'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''objectives'', ''outlook'', ''plan'', ''probably'', ''project'', ''risks'', "schedule", ''seek'', ''should'', ''target'', ''will'' and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this news release including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell's products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments.  All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell's 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov ). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward looking statements contained in this news release and should be considered by the reader.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release, 20 April 2018. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this news release that United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC.  U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

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SOURCE Shell

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Equilon Enterprises LLC, doing business as Shell Oil Products US ("Shell"), and Toyota have been provisionally awarded $8 million by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop the first hydrogen-truck refueling station at the Port of Long Beach. 

The funding, which is contingent upon the approval of the project at an upcoming CEC meeting, forms part of the CEC's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, which helps develop hydrogen and electric infrastructure at ports, warehousing and distribution centers in California. 

Shell and Toyota expect the facility to encourage the use of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in and around Long Beach, one of the world's largest freight hubs.

"This station will help the hydrogen-fueled freight sector to flourish in California," said Oliver Bishop, Hydrogen general manager at Shell.  "Hydrogen offers a promising path for decarbonizing transport, particularly the heavy-duty sector where there are few alternatives to conventional fuel. Shell and Toyota will combine their expertise to deliver an effective alternative fuel for Californian freight."

If approved, Shell will build, own and operate a hydrogen station at the Toyota Logistics Services location at the Port of Long Beach, fueling Toyota's Project Portal heavy-duty fuel cell proof of concept truck and public fleets.

"We greatly appreciate the CEC for recognizing the importance of this breakthrough project at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles," said Craig Scott, Director Advanced Technology Vehicles, Toyota Motor North America. "Toyota continues to demonstrate that fuel cells are one of the most innovative and sustainable technologies for light and heavy-duty vehicle electrification. This initiative with Shell further strengthens our combined commitment to hydrogen as a viable transport fuel and complements our retail station project in Northern California."

Shell will source its hydrogen from Toyota's adjacent Tri-Gen facility, which produces hydrogen from 100 percent renewable biogas. 

The Notice of Proposed Award was issued on April 6. For more information see:  http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/GFO-17-603_NOPA.pdf

About Shell
Shell is an integrated energy and petrochemicals company, with an average of 86,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Shell aims to meet the world's growing demand for energy in ways that are economically, environmentally and socially responsible.
Shell is investing in the development of alternative transport fuels including biofuels, liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen and electric mobility.
Shell is taking part in various initiatives to encourage the adoption of hydrogen as a transport fuel. In California, Shell is working alongside Toyota and Honda to expand the hydrogen refueling network. We currently operate two hydrogen fueling stations in Southern California, with seven more planned throughout the state to help push California closer to its goal of 200 hydrogen stations by 2025.
In Germany, Shell is working with the government and industry partners in a cross-sector joint venture, H2 Mobility Germany, to support the development of a nationwide expansion of hydrogen refueling stations.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 47,000 people (more than 37,000 in the U.S.).  Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2017 – and about 87 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today.  

Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We share company resources and extensive know-how to support non-profits to help expand their ability to assist more people move more places. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com. 

Contact for enquiries:

Shell Media Relations:
International +44 207 934 5550
Americas +1 832 337 4355

Toyota Media Relations:
Russ Koble
Toyota Motor North America
Russ.Koble@toyota.com

Cautionary Note

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this news release "Shell", "Shell group" and "Royal Dutch Shell" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to Royal Dutch Shell plc and subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ''Subsidiaries'', "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this news release refer to entities over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as "joint ventures" and "joint operations", respectively.  Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as "associates". The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This news release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "aim", "ambition', ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''could'', ''estimate'', ''expect'', ''goals'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''objectives'', ''outlook'', ''plan'', ''probably'', ''project'', ''risks'', "schedule", ''seek'', ''should'', ''target'', ''will'' and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this news release including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell's products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments.  All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell's 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov ). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward looking statements contained in this news release and should be considered by the reader.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release, 20 April 2018. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this news release that United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC.  U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) will build the world's first megawatt-scale carbonate fuel cell power generation plant with a hydrogen fueling station to support its operations at the Port of Long Beach. Announced today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Tri-Gen facility will use bio-waste sourced from California agricultural waste to generate water, electricity and hydrogen.

When it comes online in 2020, Tri-Gen will generate approximately 2.35 megawatts of electricity and 1.2 tons of hydrogen per day, enough to power the equivalent of about 2,350 average-sized homes and meet the daily driving needs of nearly 1,500 vehicles. The power generation facility will be 100% renewable, supplying Toyota Logistics Services' (TLS) operations at the Port and making them the first Toyota facility in North America to use 100% renewable power.

"For more than twenty years, Toyota has been leading the development of fuel cell technology because we understand the tremendous potential to reduce emissions and improve society," said Doug Murtha, Group Vice President- Strategic Planning. "Tri-Gen is a major step forward for sustainable mobility and a key accomplishment of our 2050 Environmental Challenge to achieve net zero CO2 emissions from our operations."

Tri-Gen is a key step forward in Toyota's work to develop a hydrogen society. In addition to serving as a key proof-of-concept for 100% renewable, local hydrogen generation at scale, the facility will supply all Toyota fuel cell vehicles moving through the Port, including new deliveries of the Mirai sedan and Toyota's Heavy Duty hydrogen fuel cell class 8 truck, known as Project Portal. To support these refueling operations, Toyota has also built one of the largest hydrogen fueling stations in the world on-site with the help of Air Liquide.

Tri-Gen has been developed by FuelCell Energy with the support of the US Department of Energy, California agencies including the California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Orange County Sanitation District, and the University of California at Irvine, whose research helped develop the core technology. The facility exceeds California's strict air quality standards and advances the overall goals of the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, and the Air Quality Management Districts of the South Coast and the Bay Area, who have been leaders in the work to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

Going forward, Toyota remains committed to supporting the development of a consumer-facing hydrogen infrastructure to realize the potential of fuel cell vehicles. Thirty-one retail hydrogen stations are now open for business in California, and Toyota continues to partner with a broad range of companies to develop new stations. That includes a partnership with Shell that represents the first such collaboration between a major automotive and major oil company. 

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 33 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 46,000 people (more than 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold almost 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.45 million in the U.S.) in 2016 – and about 85 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today.  

Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We share company resources and extensive know-how to support non-profits to help expand their ability to assist more people move more places. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com. 

For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com

Media Contacts

Russ Koble
russ.koble@toyota.com; (310) 418-5998

Brian Lyons
Brian.lyons@toyota.com; (310) 418-8819                           

Media website:                http://www.toyotanewsroom.com        
Public website:                                http://www.toyota.com 

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

PLANO, Texas, Sept. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Everything is bigger in Texas. Everything, that is, except Toyota's environmental footprint. 

Toyota Motor North America's (TMNA) headquarters campus in Plano, Texas has officially achieved LEED Platinum from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Jonathan Kraatz, executive director, USGBC Texas Chapter, presented the prized Platinum plaque to Jim Lentz, TMNA president and chief executive officer, today at the new campus. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world.

"At Toyota, we have a longstanding commitment to sustainability and preserving our natural resources," said Lentz. "With the installation of greenspaces, thousands of solar panels, a massive rain water capture system, and natural light wells, we have designed our new headquarters to reflect the local habitat and enhance its biodiversity. Recognition as a LEED Platinum facility is a testament of our efforts to become a model for energy efficiency and sustainability, and speaks to our challenge to ourselves to create a net positive impact on the planet by 2050."

"USGBC is proud to award LEED Platinum to Toyota, for their thoughtfulness in their campus energy planning and space design as well as the overall net positive impact on the community and environment," said Kraatz. "Our mission at USGBC has challenged organizations to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Toyota's new Texas campus is a great example of what can be accomplished with the right leadership."

The state-of-the-art, 100-acre campus boasts a Platinum-sized list of sustainability aspects, from renewable energy to drought resistant landscaping:  

Renewable Energy

• Largest onsite corporate solar installation among non-utility companies in Texas
• 8.79-Megawatt solar power system, designed and installed by SunPower Corp.
• Produces up to 33 percent of daily electric needs for headquarters campus
• Reduces annual carbon dioxide emissions by 7,198 metric tons
• Creates enough energy to power 1,200 average US homes for a year
• Installation of high efficiency lighting and building envelopes to reduce energy usage on campus
• Specialized rooftop design teeming with plant life to manage rainwater, reduce heat and further insulate the buildings
• Flexible energy contract to preserve and resell excess power generation back to the grid
• Grid energy offset by Texas wind farm renewable energy credits

Repurposed Rainwater

• State-of-the-art rainwater capture system will provide up to three months of water supply for irrigation use
• Cistern water storage with a capacity to hold 400,000 gallons of harvested rain water
• Estimated to save more than 11 million gallons of potable (drinking) water annually
• Excess drain water will be collected and repurposed for sanitary facility use

Recycling

• More than 99 percent of the construction waste was recycled
• Construction waste was sorted offsite at North Texas' first Construction and Demolition waste processing facility

Sustainable Landscaping

• Exterior landscaping features drought-tolerant, North Texas indigenous plants like savannah, oaklands and wildflower meadows
• Campus landscape will provide a natural habitat for endangered pollinators and monarch butterflies
• Approximately 1,300 trees planted onsite by Toyota
• More than 80 mature trees saved or relocated onsite, including a 100-year-old oak tree
• Landscaping will be managed without expensive mowing, fertilizers, chemicals or artificial irrigation
• Historic wetlands on the northeast corner of the campus were preserved to protect its natural state

Professionals who led this project include a host of Dallas-based firms: KDC Real Estate Development & Investments to develop and build the campus, architect Corgan Associates to design the campus, and Austin Commercial to manage the construction.

In late 2015, Toyota Motor Corporation announced the 2050 Toyota Environmental Challenge, a set of ambitious environmental goals to reach beyond net zero, and create a net positive impact on the planet. To learn more, please visit http://www.toyota-global.com/sustainability/environment/challenge2050/.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 33 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 46,000 people (more than 36,000 in the U.S.).  Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold almost 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.45 million in the U.S.) in 2016 – and about 85 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today.  

Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We share company resources and extensive know-how to support non-profits to help expand their ability to assist more people move more places. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com. 

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/toyota-takes-the-leed-in-texas-300524048.html

SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 9, the California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) awarded a grant of $16,362,500 to Equilon Enterprises LLC a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company (collectively, "Shell") for the introduction of seven hydrogen refueling stations in Northern California.

The hydrogen refueling stations will be built in collaboration with Honda and Toyota, who will provide financial support, at seven Shell-branded retail stations across Northern California; three in the city of San Francisco, and one in each of Berkeley, Sacramento, Citrus Heights and Walnut Creek.

The Energy Commission awarded the grant through its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP), which invests up to $100 million every year to support innovations in transportation and fuel technologies that help California meet its energy, clean air, and climate change goals.

The hydrogen refueling stations will be installed in strategic locations within the existing network of Shell-branded retail stations, offering existing and future fuel cell electric vehicle drivers high-quality service with simple and straightforward car refueling in minutes. 

"We are grateful to the California Energy Commission for grant funding that will enable customers to choose hydrogen fuel alongside gasoline and diesel. We will apply our worldwide experience of more than 100 years in marketing transportation fuels to the success of these hydrogen refueling stations. We are also grateful for the contributions of Honda, Toyota, and Anglo American Platinum to these seven stations," stated Oliver Bishop, Hydrogen General Manager for Shell Exploration and Production Company. "A range of different fuels and vehicle technologies will be needed to meet transport needs in a low carbon energy future. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are one of these solutions."

"Toyota and Shell have a long-standing relationship in support of hydrogen infrastructure development, dating back to the 2009 opening of Shell's only dedicated hydrogen refueling station at our facility in Torrance, California," said Craig Scott, Advanced Technology Vehicle Senior Manager, Toyota Motor North America."Toyota is excited to work with such a forward-thinking energy company as we transition to a cleaner, hydrogen future."

"Honda believes fuel cell technology has great potential to address society's energy and environmental concerns," said Steve Center, Vice President, Connected and Environmental Business Development for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "With companies like Shell supporting hydrogen refueling infrastructure, the motoring public and the investment communities will take note that hydrogen is going to be a major part of the future of clean, low carbon mobility."

"The California Energy Commission is pleased to support the adoption of zero-emission fuel cell electric cars through the expansion of California's network of hydrogen refueling stations," said Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott. "The Commission looks forward to continuing its work with private and public partners to help transform California's transportation system to help the state achieve its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, improve air quality, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels."

Further information

Shell: Once operational, the seven hydrogen refueling stations covered by the grant award will bring the number of hydrogen refueling stations Shell is operating in California to nine. Shell and its affiliates within the Shell Group of Companies are taking part in various initiatives to encourage the adoption of hydrogen as a transport fuel. In Germany, the Shell group is working with the government and industry partners in a cross-sector joint venture, H2 Mobility Germany, to support the development of a nationwide expansion of hydrogen refueling stations. Shell currently operates two hydrogen refueling stations in California, located in Newport Beach and Torrance.

Honda Commitment to the Environment
Based on its vision of "Blue Skies for our Children," Honda is working to advance technologies that address society's environmental and energy concerns. Honda is targeting a 50 percent reduction in its total company CO₂ emissions on a global basis by 2050, compared to 2000 levels. The company also is striving to realize significant growth in sales of electrified vehicles, which includes the introduction of the Honda Clarity series of vehicles, beginning with the hydrogen-powered Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle, launched in 2016, followed by a new Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid in 2017.

Honda also is endeavoring to reduce the environmental impact of its products throughout their life cycles, including the reduction of energy use and emissions from its production, distribution and sales. This includes the Honda Environmental Leadership Award Program, through which more than 150 U.S. Honda and Acura dealers have reduced CO₂ emissions by more than 34,000 metric tons.

Toyota: Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through the Toyota and Lexus brands. Over the past 60 years, Toyota has built more than 30 million cars and trucks in North America, where it operates 14 manufacturing plants and directly employ more than 44,000 people.  Toyota's 1,800 North American dealerships sold nearly 2.6 million cars and trucks in 2016 – and about 85 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today.  

As one of the world's largest automakers, Toyota is in a unique position to shape the future of mobility. That's why in 2015, Toyota announced the global Environmental Challenge 2050, an ambitious set of six challenges to ultimately create a net positive impact on the planet. The six challenges address four complex environmental issues facing communities around the world: carbon, water availability/quality, material usage/recyclability, and biodiversity.

CAUTIONARY NOTE

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement "Shell", "Shell group" and "Royal Dutch Shell" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. ''Subsidiaries'', "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this announcement refer to companies over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as "joint ventures" and "joint operations" respectively. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as "associates". The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''could'', ''estimate'', ''expect'', ''goals'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''objectives'', ''outlook'', ''plan'', ''probably'', ''project'', ''risks'', "schedule", ''seek'', ''should'', ''target'', ''will'' and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell's products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this announcement. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell's 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

HOUSTON and DALLAS, June 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MP2 Energy, a full-service power company based in The Woodlands, Texas, has been awarded a five-year retail electricity contract with Toyota Motor North America to provide 100 percent renewable energy solutions to Toyota's new North American headquarters in Plano, Texas.

The contract takes into consideration the forecasted hourly energy consumption for the approximately 2.1 million square-foot campus comprised of office space and office support, a data center and light industrial and light automotive service facilities. The five-year deal also supports 7.75 megawatts of on-site solar generation at the new headquarters through MP2 Energy's Net Energy Billing program for the purchase of all excess solar generation. The remaining electricity MP2 procures for Toyota will be 100 percent renewable, sourced from various resources including local Texas wind and offsite solar.

"This deal showcases our innovative solar power solutions, namely our highly customizable approach to solar solutions to reduce retail supply rate," said Jeff Starcher, chairman and CEO of MP2 Energy. "Toyota is one of the world's premier automotive companies, and we were proud to negotiate a creative supply model for their new Texas headquarters."

MP2 will also provide Toyota with supply flexibility and innovation for risk management, including the possibility of future integration of demand response and other onsite generation.

Traditionally, solar energy has been offered exclusively through long-term contracts, most of which begin at 20-year terms. This deal, however, is a shorter five-year agreement, improving Toyota's ability to forecast its energy costs and adjust accordingly. By taking this purchase position on solar energy, Toyota is able to consume reliable energy and meet its electric needs without being exposed to the price movement associated with natural gas and the real time spot market for power.

"We are dedicated to making sure our new headquarters campus supports – even redefines – Toyota's commitment to the environment," said Kevin Butt, Regional Director, North American Environmental Division of Toyota Motor North America. "The Plano solar system will not only reduce our environmental footprint and educate team members about renewable energy, it moves us closer to Toyota's 2050 global environmental challenge to eliminate carbon emissions in all operations."

As part of its overall sustainability effort, Toyota engaged Priority Power Management to negotiate a comprehensive retail electricity supply contract with MP2 Energy, including the integration of a 7.75 MW solar-generated power system located behind the utility meter.

"We chose MP2 Energy because of its competitive pricing and ability to integrate solar power into its electricity supply," said John Bick, managing principal at Priority Power Management.

Construction of Toyota's new North American headquarters is estimated to open in May 2017. It will house 4,000 employees that will manage 14 regional offices across the United States. The approximately 2.1 million square feet of conditioned space will include 1.9 million square feet of office and office support, 20,000 square feet of data center and IT support and approximately 350,000 square feet of light industrial, quality control and testing, and light automotive service. Oncor will serve as the chosen Transmission Distribution Service Provider (TDSP).

About MP2 Energy

MP2 Energy is a full service power company, serving approximately 1,300 MW to commercial, industrial and residential customers in Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The top-tier company integrates capabilities across its core services from plant development, plant management, demand response, and retail electric supply to the end-use customer. The company handles all other aspects of power markets, such as asset management, commodity hedging, solar installation and offtake, wind and distributed generation, and solar retail products for residential customers in Texas.

MP2 was recently recognized on DNV GL's Channel Partner Market survey for customer satisfaction and ease of doing business, and ranked No. 1 in overall satisfaction on ERCG's National ABC Broker Survey. In 2014, the company was honored with The Energy Professionals Association's inaugural Supplier of the Year award. For more information, visit www.MP2energy.com.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we've built more than 30 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 44,000 people (more than 34,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.5 million in the U.S.) in 2015 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.

About Priority Power Management

Priority Power Management, LLC is a leading Texas-based independent energy management and consulting services firm to large commercial, industrial and government customers. Priority Power Management provides unbiased and objective energy management services in the areas of energy information, supply and risk management, demand-side management and energy infrastructure solutions. Since its establishment in 2001, Priority Power Management has grown to procure and manage approximately $1 billion of annual energy spend on behalf of clients from its offices in Midland/Odessa, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Abilene. For more information about Priority Power Management, LLC visit www.prioritypower.net.

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SOURCE MP2 Energy