Toyota FCV Concept Is Part Car, Part Power Plant
Toyota FCV Concept Is Part Car, Part Power PlantOctober 1st, 2016 by Steve Hanley byToyota may be planning to add a plug to every Prius it builds, but it hasn't given up on the hydrogen fuel cell dream, despite the fact that there is no clean, zero emissions source of hydrogen at the present time.Prodded by the Japanese government, Toyota is moving ahead with plans to bring fuel cell vehicles to the masses whether they want them or not.The FCV Plus concept on display now at the Paris auto show is one result of those plans.
Toyota FCV Plus Concept Powers Its Way Into Paris
PHOTO GALLERYComing to Paris from last year's Tokyo Motor Show, the Toyota FCV Plus Concept is all about the future.The first thing noticeable is the Jetsons-inspired body , but unlike the flying cars from the popular cartoon, this study touches the pavement with small wheels, cruising almost silently thanks to a fuel-cell powertrain and four independent in-wheel motors.Since hydrogen is the fuel of choice for setting the Toyota FCV Plus in motion, water is the only emission, but unlike other similar vehicles, this study can also generate electricity from the hydrogen stored outside, in addition to its own tank, and it can therefore be used as a stable source of electric power.Besides allowing users to put hydrogen to use in order to power their home, the FCV Plus can also be integrated into the local infrastructure, when it's not used for transport, thus sharing its energy with the community.There's no doubt that some of these technologies will be common sometime in the future, but until then, those interested in hydrogen-powered cars made by Toyota willave to settle with the Mirai , which carries a $57,500 starting price in the United States.
The Toyota FCV Plus is A Space-Age Mobile Generator
Unlike the Toyota Mirai , the FCV Plus can be coupled to an external hydrogen supply, effectively turning it into a generator; a stable power source that you can use to power things at home or away, like on camping trips.For the latter you'd need to transport all your gear and friends separately: nothing's fitting in the FCV boot.When the car is parked, it can use the electrical energy stored on board to charge other electric vehicles or possibly link into local power grids to form part of the local infrastructure.