Toyota FCHV Goes into Next Stage of Trials
The Toyota FCHV (fuel cell hybrid vehicle) has now moved forward in its evolution and is undergoing trials with a transport entity based in Nagoya, Japan. The car, described by the automaker as the closest thing to the “ultimate eco-car” extant on this warming planet of ours, has a hybrid electric motor power system run by both a battery and fuel cells juiced up with hydrogen gas.
This one has a lot working in its favor:
- no polluting emissions
- aluminum in the roof, hood, fenders, and doors to cut the weight 40kg
- a spoiler in the rear for turbulence suppression
- a flat underside to minimize wind resistance
- tires designed to limit rolling resistance
- carbon dioxide rather than CFCs or HFCs for the air conditioning coolant
- LEDs in the rear lights
- sensors to close off the valves to the tanks of hydrogen in the event of a crash
- a hydrogen leak detection system
The vehicle is based on the Highlander, a mid-sized SU, and the intent of the current trials is data collection with an eye toward actual commercial production. Estimates for that phase of the FCHV’s life place the car going on sale in five years or so. It will be interesting to see how this Toyota evolves in day-to-day use as it definitely represents the direction of things to come.