To popularize fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), Toyota Motor Corporation will allow royalty-free use of approximately 5,680 of its FCV-related patent licenses. This includes pending applications, Toyota holds globally on an unconsolidated basis, as well as such that are critical to the development and production of FCVs, such as those relating to fuel cell stacks (approx. 1,970 patent licenses), high-pressure hydrogen tanks (approx. 290 patent licenses), and fuel cell system control technology (approx. 3,350 patent licenses).

To facilitate more rapid expansion of hydrogen station networks, Toyota will also provide royalty-free use of approximately 70 hydrogen-station-related patent licenses indefinitely for those installing and operating hydrogen stations.

Toyota will allow the royalty-free use by those manufacturing and selling FCVs through the initial market introduction period, which is anticipated to continue until about 2020. The use is planned for companies and organizations that close contracts with Toyota based on negotiations with the company concerning specific usage plans, in line with standard patent license usage procedures.

Bob Carter, the company’s senior vice-president of automotive operations, delivered this news at CES 2015 in Las Vegas, USA, following an elaborate presentation that praised the strengths of its fuel cell vehicle, the Toyota Mirai (see picture).

• Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota, Aichi, Japan