Tokyo’s hydrogen Crown program is receiving initial feedback as the sedan is introduced into taxi and police service.
Toyota plans to deploy 200 Crown FCEV taxis in Tokyo by 2026. The Fukushima police force is utilizing a hydrogen Crown that was launched last year. Both versions maintain the original FCEV configuration, featuring a rear-mounted electric motor.
The Crown Sedan FCEV made its introduction in 2023, becoming Toyota's second hydrogen-powered production vehicle after the Mirai. This model is part of the company’s broader initiative to expand alternative-fuel mobility and hints at the potential of hydrogen for everyday transportation beyond specialized uses.
In addition to the passenger variant for Japanese consumers, Toyota has also created taxi and police car models, each aimed at testing the viability of hydrogen in practical, high-demand environments.
Starting with the taxi version, a fleet of Crown Sedan FCEVs is already operating on Tokyo's streets, with plans to expand to approximately 200 units by March 2026. Each vehicle features a distinctive black exterior, blue graphics, and unique Tokyo H2 decals on the sides.
The interior is fully equipped for taxi services, including an additional GPS system, a fare meter, and a clear barrier behind the driver’s seat. Passengers enjoy generous legroom, tablet-style screens mounted on the seatbacks, a separate touchscreen for climate controls in the central armrest, and seats equipped with a massage feature.
Toyota recognizes that the FCEV’s length of 5,030 mm (198 inches) can make it somewhat cumbersome on narrow city roads, but asserts that this is compensated by smooth acceleration and a quiet, refined ride. Taxi drivers appear to agree, with one stating, “I’ve never driven a car this good before.”
Taxi fares remain fixed at ¥500 ($3), the same as a standard Tokyo cab, making the hydrogen option a competitive alternative to the more prevalent Toyota JPN Taxi.
According to Toyota, the taxi initiative is intended to “help explore the optimal balance of hydrogen supply and demand.” President and CEO Koji Sato described it as “a tremendous first step with meaningful implications for large-scale social implementation.”
A Crown For The Police
The initiative extends beyond taxis. In December 2024, Toyota unveiled a Crown Sedan FCEV police car designed for the Fukushima prefecture, a region impacted by the 2011 nuclear disaster.
The patrol model features a striking black-and-white color scheme, equipped with roof-mounted strobe lights, bold "Police" lettering, and Mount Fuji-inspired graphics on the hood, replacing the standard Toyota badge with a gold emblem.
Both the taxi and police models utilize the standard Crown Sedan FCEV powertrain. A rear-mounted electric motor generates 180 hp (134 kW / 182 PS) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque, powered by a fuel cell from the Mirai.
Hydrogen is stored in three high-pressure tanks, providing an impressive range of up to 820 km (510 miles) per refuel.
For those who are skeptical about hydrogen, Toyota also offers a hybrid version of the Crown Sedan, which combines a 2.5-liter engine with dual electric motors.
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