Japanese automaker Toyota has confirmed plans to launch its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in 2015.
Based on the FCV-R concept that was introduced at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota’s upcoming hydrogen-powered car is focused on “significant cost reduction, durability, reliability and improvements in well-to-wheel CO2 emissions”.
While being tested by Toyota, the FCV-R concept, which is powered by a fuel cell stack with a power density of 3.0kW per liter, achieved a driving range of around 420 miles (676 km), producing “no CO2, NOx or particulate matter emissions”.
The manufacturer estimates that a production hydrogen-powered vehicle with a price tag of less than £70,000 (€82,000 / $108,500) is attainable, and adds that it will work to reduce costs even further before the first model is being launched.
“Toyota expects FCHVs to reach full mass-market commercialisation during the 2020s, by when it aims to be selling tens of thousands of vehicles annually. This market growth will be supported by the wider roll-out of fuel cell vehicle technology; the development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure that will bring filling stations within easy reach of greater numbers of people; and cost reductions that go hand-in-hand with a maturing technology,” the company said in a statement.
While being tested by Toyota, the FCV-R concept, which is powered by a fuel cell stack with a power density of 3.0kW per liter, achieved a driving range of around 420 miles (676 km), producing “no CO2, NOx or particulate matter emissions”.
The manufacturer estimates that a production hydrogen-powered vehicle with a price tag of less than £70,000 (€82,000 / $108,500) is attainable, and adds that it will work to reduce costs even further before the first model is being launched.
“Toyota expects FCHVs to reach full mass-market commercialisation during the 2020s, by when it aims to be selling tens of thousands of vehicles annually. This market growth will be supported by the wider roll-out of fuel cell vehicle technology; the development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure that will bring filling stations within easy reach of greater numbers of people; and cost reductions that go hand-in-hand with a maturing technology,” the company said in a statement.