Toyota introduced the Crown Sedan FCEV in 2023 as its second mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicle, following the pioneering Mirai. The model arrived as part of Toyota’s wider push to broaden its portfolio of alternative-fuel technologies and explore hydrogen’s role in everyday mobility. While the consumer version available in Japan already demonstrated how hydrogen fuel cells could be integrated into a traditional sedan format, Toyota decided to take the experiment further. The company developed both taxi and police car versions of the Crown Sedan FCEV, allowing it to evaluate how hydrogen performs in demanding, high-mileage real-world environments.
The taxi adaptation is the first of these special projects to enter widespread testing. A growing fleet of Crown Sedan FCEV taxis is now operating across Tokyo, with Toyota expecting the number to reach approximately 200 vehicles by March 2026. These taxis are instantly recognisable thanks to their black exterior paint, blue accent graphics, and prominent Tokyo H2 logos displayed along the doors. Although Toyota admits that the sedan’s length—measuring 5,030mm—can make manoeuvring through tight city streets somewhat challenging, the company emphasises the benefits: notably the smooth, linear acceleration typical of electric propulsion and a remarkably quiet ride.
Inside, the cabin has been fully outfitted for professional taxi service. The driver’s area includes an additional GPS screen and a standard fare meter, while the front–rear separation is handled by a clear partition for safety and privacy. For passengers, Toyota has ensured a comfortable experience with generous legroom, tablet-style multimedia displays mounted behind the front seats, and even a dedicated touchscreen embedded in the centre armrest for adjusting climate control settings. Several seats feature built-in massaging functions, adding an unexpected touch of luxury to urban taxi travel.
Pricing remains customer-friendly. Fares start at $3, identical to those of a regular Tokyo taxi, making the hydrogen-powered service a practical and accessible option alongside long-standing models like the Toyota JPN Taxi. Toyota says the purpose of this initiative is to help determine “the optimal balance of hydrogen supply and demand.” Company president and CEO Koji Sato described the program as “an important first step with major implications for broader social adoption.”
Toyota has also adapted the Crown Sedan FCEV for police use. Revealed in December 2024, the Fukushima police variant serves in a region still marked by the 2011 nuclear disaster. This model swaps the taxi’s subtle look for a traditional black-and-white law-enforcement livery, complete with roof-mounted emergency lights, bold “Police” markings, and hood graphics inspired by Mount Fuji. Instead of Toyota’s standard emblem, the police version is fitted with a striking gold badge.
Both the taxi and police versions use the same hydrogen power system found in the regular Crown Sedan FCEV. A rear-mounted electric motor delivers 180 horsepower and 300Nm of torque, powered by a fuel-cell unit originally designed for the Mirai. Hydrogen is stored in three high-pressure tanks, providing a substantial range of up to 820 kilometres per fill.
For customers who are still hesitant about hydrogen, Toyota continues to offer the Crown Sedan in a self-charging hybrid configuration, pairing a 2.5-litre petrol engine with two electric motors for a more conventional alternative.