Shanghai (ZXZC)- Toyota Motor and Haima Automobile signed an agreement on Mar. 24 to carry out the extensive strategic cooperation on the R&D and industrialization of fuel cell passenger vehicles (FCPV), according to a post on the Chinese automaker’s WeChat account.

The latest move marks the launch of Toyota Motor’s first FCPV-dedicated cooperative project in China.

Photo credit: Haima Automobile

According to the agreement, the two parties will use Hainan Island as a large-scale experience and testing ground, and install mature components and systems, including the second-generation Mirai fuel cell stack from Toyota Motor, onto Haima's third-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). The duo will jointly conduct the vehicle adaption development and test these vehicles in conjunction with Haima's self-built hydrogen energy supply system and mobility service network.

Through the strategic cooperation, they will jointly promote the application of FCVs in the Chinese market. After the FCV market reaches a certain scale, the two companies will explore the use of preferential policies in the Hainan Free Trade Port to deepen their strategic partnership.

Haima has been investing in the R&D of FCVs since 2013. Currently, its fourth-generation fuel cell passenger vehicle available for pilot operation has been developed, with the onboard hydrogen storage tank pressure growing from 35MPa to 70MPa, and the stack power rising from 30kW to 100kW, said Lu Guogang, vice chairman of Haima Automobile. He also noted the model can travel up to 800km with one hydrogen refueling session.

Besides, Haima Automobile, by joining hands with upstream leading companies such as China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and China Huaneng Group, has built the roof-distributed photovoltaic power generation system and the stations that integrate hydrogen production by electrolysis of water and high-pressure hydrogen refueling in Haikou city.

As the first result of the cooperation, the Haima 7X-H, the hydrogen-powered passenger vehicle model co-developed by Toyota Motor and Haima Automobile, has completed its engineering design. It will see its first functional prototype rolling off the production line by end of April 2023 and is scheduled to be put into small-scale pilot operation at the end of this year.