Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Toyota Motor North America announced a strategic investment in California hydrogen-fueling company FirstElement Fuel on December 12, 2025. Toyota said the goal was to strengthen fueling access for existing fuel-cell vehicle drivers and support the network for future vehicles. The announcement did not disclose the investment amount or promise a specific number of new stations.
Who did Toyota invest in?
The investment recipient is FirstElement Fuel, a California-based developer and operator of hydrogen stations whose retail network is branded True Zero. Toyota described FirstElement as the largest retail hydrogen-fueling infrastructure provider in California in its December 12, 2025 announcement. FirstElement’s website also identifies its network as True Zero and lists Toyota among its historical partners; its promotional description of the network as the world’s most extensive is the company’s own claim, not an independently verified ranking (FirstElement Fuel).
What did Toyota announce—and what remains undisclosed?
Toyota called the transaction a strategic investment and said the companies aim to strengthen hydrogen fueling for current fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) drivers and bolster the network for current and future FCEVs. The public announcement does not state the investment’s dollar value, Toyota’s ownership percentage, transaction structure, or other deal terms. It also sets no quantified expansion commitment, so the stated objective should not be read as a promise to build a specified number of stations.
How large was FirstElement Fuel’s network?
Toyota reported that FirstElement Fuel operated 92 retail fueling positions across 38 California locations when Toyota announced the investment in December 2025. That is Toyota’s dated figure, not a verified count of currently operating stations. It counts fueling positions and locations, which are different measures; the FirstElement Fuel website does not provide a current count in the material available there.
#1 Best Overall
- The Hydrogen fuel trolley uses zinc particles and food grade citric acid to synthesize hydrogen, and then uses the produced hydrogen and air to generate electricity to drive the trolley.
- During the experiment, please use 80℃ hot water for Combination reaction (if the water temperature is low, the amount of hydrogen and air pressure from the Combination reaction are insufficient, the fuel cell cannot be used for power generation), and then take off the plug of the vent pipe at the lower part of the fuel cell, release the gas in the rubber hose immediately, and then plug it back immediately, so that only pure hydrogen and air are in the fuel cell, so that the fuel cell can generate hydrogen air power.
Does the investment mean new stations across the United States?
The announcement’s U.S. infrastructure framing describes Toyota’s broader goal, but the network count it supplied was specific to California. Toyota did not announce a national station rollout, identify new locations outside California, or set a timetable for expansion through FirstElement. The announcement therefore supports a conclusion about intended network support—not a confirmed nationwide buildout.
How does this fit with Toyota’s later hydrogen plans?
Toyota announced other hydrogen projects in 2026, but they are separate arrangements and do not establish the amount or effect of the FirstElement investment.
Rank #2
- 1.This hydrogen fuel cell car model adopts hydrogen-oxygen power generation principle, creating clean energy driving effect to intuitively demonstrate new energy and fuel cell working mechanism.
- 2.It produces hydrogen through the reaction of zinc particles and citric acid, converting chemical energy into electric power to drive the car, helping learners understand energy conversion knowledge visually.
- 3.Designed with complete experimental accessories including hydrogen cylinder, fuel celland spare plug for convenient assembly and smooth science experiment operation.
- 4.Requires 80℃ hot water for stable chemical reaction to ensure sufficient hydrogen output; simple vent exhaust operation helps maintain pure gas for normal power generation performance.
- 5.Ideal STEM teaching instrument for classroom education, home science projects and tech learning.
Air Liquide: a Toyota campus fueling project
In a May 5, 2026 announcement, Toyota said it had a definitive agreement with Air Liquide to supply fuel at Toyota’s North American Parts Center California campus. Toyota described mobile heavy-duty fueling as planned to begin later in 2026, followed by a permanent station intended to serve heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles, including the Mirai. These were plans announced at that date, not confirmation that the station is operational now. Toyota had also described separate plans involving Air Liquide and Iwatani for hydrogen supply and station infrastructure at the campus in April 2025 (Toyota’s April 28, 2025 announcement).
Hyroad Energy: a Southern California truck deployment
Toyota’s May 4, 2026 announcement described a separate agreement with Hyroad Energy for 40 fuel-cell Class 8 trucks in Southern California. Toyota said it would supply hydrogen using its own infrastructure then under development in Ontario, California. Toyota reported that the trucks could carry up to 70 kilograms of hydrogen onboard and had an approximate range of up to 500 miles; these are company-stated specifications, not independent test results.
Rank #3
- Horizon puts renewable energy technology into the hands of our future scientists
- Fuel Cell Car Science Kit uses a PEM fuel cell to combine electrolysis and power conversion
- Watch as oxygen and hydrogen gases are formed to power the car
- Combining cutting-edge science, education and fun for all!
- Includes PEM fuel cell and car, education manual and experiment guide
Why hydrogen fueling matters to Toyota’s FCEV strategy
Toyota explains that polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity. In a vehicle, electric motors use that electricity. The FirstElement investment is therefore an infrastructure move intended to support vehicles already using fuel cells as well as future FCEVs, rather than an announcement of a new Toyota vehicle.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Horizon puts renewable energy technology into the hands of our future scientists
- Solar Hydrogen Education Kit generates clean energy using the sun
- Renewable hydrogen is created using only solar energy and water
- Combining cutting-edge science, education and fun for all!
- Includes fuel cell, small electric motor, propeller blade, experiment manual and assembly guide
Rank #4
- The Hydrogen fuel trolley uses zinc particles and food grade citric acid to synthesize hydrogen, and then uses the produced hydrogen and air to generate electricity to drive the trolley.
- During the experiment, please use 80 ℃ hot water for Combination reaction
- And then take off the plug of the vent pipe at the lower part of the fuel cell, release the gas in the rubber hose immediately, and then plug it back immediately, so that only pure hydrogen and air are in the fuel cell, so that the fuel cell can generate hydrogen air power.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
