12 Months to Toyota FCV Production
News from the future. The Toyota FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) is almost ready. The production model reveal is only 12 months away. Is this the beginning of the end of the hybrid car? Fingers crossed.
What's wrong with hybrids you ask? Well, they are slow, unimaginative, their range never meets the expectations, their batteries are dependent on the weather, they take days to recharge, and, believe it or not, they are still sort of bad for the environment.
Hydrogen, on the other hand, is the most abundant chemical element in the universe and using it as fuel produces zero emissions. In order to make electricity, fuel-cells acquire oxygen from the environment and add hydrogen to make a chemical reaction which releases energy and a waste product known as water. Toyota engineers are adamant that you could go for about 500 miles on a single tank of hydrogen. Technically, on two tanks - the Toyota FCV actually has two 70 MegaPascal each. We don't know why that's relevant. There are no other certain figures, however, except an estimated system output of at least 100kW. Oh, and there's the price – $108,00. Too much for a Camry you think? Would you consider plugging it in your electrical grid at home then? Because you can and a single charge can satisfy your needs for about a week. Also, it looks pretty amazing. We are especially fond of these LED indicators hidden within the fenders. It's supposed to gave a "flowing liquid" door profile and a wave-motif fuel cap while the back end draws inspiration from the stem of a catamaran. Right.
Toyota are anticipating the widespread use of hydrogen fuels for cars to be common sometime in the 2020s. Because of the FCV, Toyota see themselves as pioneers, and while no one can take that away from them, we can't neglect Honda's audacious attempts to mull in the Honda Clarity. In any case, Toyota seems to be pretty serious about the technology. They are already developing fuel-cell buses, forklifts and other industrial vehicles. Greener days are to come if this trend keeps up.
Source: Toyota
