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Toyota reveals production-ready fuel cell car

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Author: | Updated: 25 Jun 2014 13:26

Toyota has revealed the first pictures of its first production hydrogen fuel cell car which will launch in 2015.

Prices are expected to start from around seven million yen (equivalent to around £40,450) when the new Fuel Cell Sedan goes on sale in the first quarter of next year in Japan. Sales in North America and Europe are expected to begin in the following summer, though production volumes are expected to be low. Toyota blames this on a lack of hydrogen refuelling stations to support the use of its new car.

Toyota FCV profile

First revealed in concept form at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the new production ready model is clearly influenced by the Prius hatchback upon which it is based, but with a slightly sportier look thanks to a swooping roofline, angular front and raked lines. A bulbous rear hints at where the hydrogen storage tank is stowed.

With emissions of only water vapour, Toyota is backing hydrogen technology instead of battery electric vehicles, in a bid to produce clean cars. Working on the technology for the last 20 years, the carmaker says the drivetrain of its Fuel Cell Sedan is based on that used in its FCHV SUV concept model, which it has been trialling in Japan and the US since 2002.

Toyota FCV rearHowever, the brand has refined the technology to make it more compact and efficient, so that the car can deliver performance and range similar to petrol-engined model. Featuring a high-energy density fuel stack and achieving 134bhp, the model can cover at least 500 miles on a single tank of hydrogen.

Refuelling too, takes minutes, similar to that of combustion vehicles, yet there are no hazardous tailpipe emissions, just like battery electric vehicles.

Full product specification details and market availability, including when and if the model will come to the UK is not yet known but is likely to be revealed next year.

Karl Schlicht, Executive Vice President Toyota Motor Europe, said: “We are very excited by the arrival of fuel cell technology. Of course there are many challenges ahead, such as the availability of fuelling infrastructure and customer awareness. But our history with hybrid gives us all the experience we need to bring a new technology to the market.

“In Europe we will be taking it step by step, gradually introducing the car in selected markets. But we are confident that hydrogen will become increasingly popular as a way of powering vehicles.”

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