Why Toyota is doubling down on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for its future

The Japanese automaker is doubling down on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles — still a zero-emission electric vehicle, but one that is powered by the most abundant element on earth. "Toyota is confident that hydrogen fuel cells have a prominent role to play in a zero-emission transportation future," Klippenstein said. Klippenstein believes that part of the appeal of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for Toyota is the shifting market demand, particularly in North America, towards SUVs and trucks. As cars get larger and as consumers demand more range … then hydrogen fuel cells look much better than batteries …"And that is why the automakers still see hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as having value."Toyota is not the only automaker looking to hydrogen. Toyota is doing that at the Port of Long Beach with its heavy duty truck that uses two Mirai fuel cell stacks.

Toyota unveils Project Portal 2.0 hydrogen fuel-cell semi truck

ToyotaToyota's efforts in developing hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains aren't limited to passenger cars -- it's also working to make semis a bit greener. Toyota has unveiled the second iteration of its Project Portal hydrogen fuel-cell electric semi truck. Project Portal gets its power from a pair of hydrogen fuel-cell stacks borrowed from the Mirai sedan. The new Project Portal also packs a sleeper cab and a revised powertrain that boosts cab space without requiring a longer wheelbase. Project Portal 2.0 will begin its drayage work this fall.

Toyota plans to expand production, shrink cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

as informed in "We're going to use as many parts from existing passenger cars and other models as possible in fuel cell trucks," said Ikuo Ota, manager of new business planning for fuel cell projects at Toyota. But people familiar with Toyota's plans said the automaker thinks demand will perk up as more countries, including China, warm to fuel cell technology. Yoshikazu Tanaka, Toyota Motor Corp. chief engineer of Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV), poses next to the Mirai at the company headquarters in Toyota, Aichi prefecture, Japan May 17, 2018. Reuters/Issei Kato Toyota Motor Corp.'s Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV) is displayed at the company headquarters in Toyota, Aichi prefecture, Japan May 17, 2018. ADVERTISEMENTThe Mirai's high production costs are largely due to expensive materials including platinum, titanium and carbon fiber used in the fuel cell and hydrogen storage systems.

collected by :Edison Noah

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