Toyota has confirmed that it is on course to market its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in 2015.
Although this isn't the first time Toyota has talked about building a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle -- the FCV-R concept of 2011 showed the firm's commitment to fuel cell technology -- it brings Toyota a step closer to actually marketing a hydrogen-powered production vehicle.
In developing its new Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV), Toyota will be using a modified version of its existing Hybrid Synergy Drive technology, replacing the petrol engine with a fuel cell and the conventional fuel tank with high-pressure hydrogen tanks. This means that the FCHV will share much of its componentry with existing hybrid cars and will use a 21kW electric battery to store energy recovered through a regenerative braking system.
Many commentators have pointed towards hydrogen as the fuel of the future. And, in theory at least, hydrogen does seem to be a more credible alternative fuel than just about anything else we've seen; however, there are a number of issues with the technology which Toyota is hoping to overcome.
One major obstacle is the size of the hydrogen fuel cell stack needed. Toyota, however, claims that it has succeeded in downsizing the fuel stack, achieving the highest fuel cell power density yet in the process -- 3.0kW per litre. This means that the hydrogen tanks can be smaller, lowering costs and increasing the practicality of the car.
A traditional worry with alternatively-fuelled cars is range; however, hydrogen technology largely sidesteps this thanks to having a refill time comparable to that of a liquid-fuelled car. Toyota claims that the FCHV will have a range of more than 300 miles.
Another problem with hydrogen cars so far is the cost. Compared to a traditional internal combustion engine, hydrogen fuel cell technology is ruinously expensive and Toyota estimates that the FCHV will have a price tag of around £70,000. Toyota does, however, claim that it is committed to lowering the cost of hydrogen vehicles and is working to reduce the cost of the FCHV before it makes it to market.
But perhaps the biggest obstacle for Toyota to overcome is the lack of a hydrogen refuelling network in most global markets. In order for hydrogen vehicles to catch on it will be necessary to revolutionise the way cars are refuelled by making compressed hydrogen commercially available.
Toyota will be delivering a technical presentation on its new hydrogen fuel cell technology at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.
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