Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("Toyota Tsusho") announced today that Toyota Tsusho, Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu Co., Ltd. ("Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu"), and PXP Corporation ("PXP") commenced demonstration tests on November 1 within Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu's Hiratsuka Sales Office jurisdiction to improve the fuel efficiency of route buses by utilizing next-generation chalcopyrite solar cells.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for introducing fuel efficiency improvement technologies in public transportation from the perspectives of reducing environmental impact and conserving energy. These demonstration tests involve installing chalcopyrite solar cells developed by PXP on the roofs of five route buses operated by Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu and using solar power to supplement electricity for air conditioners and other in-vehicle systems, thereby verifying the fuel efficiency improvement effects achieved by reducing engine load. The demonstration period will continue for approximately five months until March 26, 2026. Based on the results of the demonstration tests, Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu and Toyota Tsusho will evaluate the feasibility of introducing next-generation solar cells on route buses.

Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu route bus equipped with chalcopyrite solar cells

The chalcopyrite solar cells used in these demonstration tests are gaining attention as one of the next-generation solar cells, alongside perovskite solar cells. They are lightweight, thin, and highly flexible, and have excellent resistance to vibration and impact as well as particularly outstanding durability. These characteristics make them easy to mount on vehicle roofs and capable of maintaining stable performance over long periods.

These demonstration tests are being implemented using the Next-Generation Solar Cell Promotion Project Subsidy, in which the Kanagawa Prefecture government aims to accelerate the adoption of next-generation solar cells in the prefecture. The aim of these tests is to contribute to local decarbonization efforts for reducing environmental impact while playing a part in promoting the adoption of next-generation solar cells.

Demonstration period	November 1, 2025 to March 26, 2026
Purpose	Verification of fuel efficiency improvement effects from solar power generation and promotion of the adoption of next-generation solar cells
Target vehicles	Five Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu route buses
Equipment	PXP chalcopyrite solar cells
Location	Routes within the Hiratsuka Sales Office jurisdiction (routes in Hiratsuka City, Chigasaki City, Atsugi City, Isehara City, Oiso Town, Ninomiya Town, and Samukawa Town)

Toyota Tsusho	Planning and operational support for demonstration tests, technical evaluation, and feasibility studies for adoption
Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu	Provision of target vehicles, collection of operational data, and cooperation in collecting operational data
PXP	Provision of chalcopyrite solar cells and technical support

Toyota Tsusho Corporation

Location	4-9-8, Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Established	July 1, 1948
Capital	64,936 million yen
Representative	Toshimitsu Imai, President & CEO
Business description	Domestic trade of goods, export/import of goods, offshore trade, construction undertaking, Insurance agents, etc.
Website	https://www.toyota-tsusho.com/english/

Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu Co., Ltd.

Location	6-18 Yaezaki-cho, Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Established	June 5, 1921
Capital	3,160 million yen
Representative	Masayuki Imai, President & Representative Director
Business description	Passenger transportation business, real estate business, hotel business
Website	https://www.kanachu.co.jp

PXP Corporation

Location	4-26-9 Higashifuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Established	July 4, 2020
Capital	100 million yen
Representative	Satoru Kuriyagawa, President and Representative Director
Business description	Research, development, manufacturing, sales, manufacturing technology licensing, and technical support for next-generation photoelectric conversion devices
Website	https://pxpco.jp/en/home_en/