Toyota Introduce New Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle At International Symposium

Toyota introduced the FCHV-3, its latest fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV), at the International Symposium on Fuel Cell Vehicles held on 1 and 2 March in Tokyo.

Ever since it began full-fledged development in 1992, Toyota has been actively promoting fuel-cell-powered vehicles. At EVS-13* in 1996, Toyota demonstrated a FCHV that stores hydrogen in an hydrogen-absorbing alloy tank, and, in 1997, it unveiled the world’s first FCHV featuring a methanol reformer for the on-board creation of hydrogen.

In parallel with these efforts, Toyota has initiated research on a wide range of fuel sources such as gasoline, natural gas and liquid hydrogen, as well as development of components for use with such types of fuel. In January this year, Toyota announced a plan for the development of clean hydrocarbon fuel (CHF), an evolved form of gasoline.

Although these varied approaches open up several possibilities for fuel selection, Toyota believes that, in terms of cleanliness and efficiency, fuel-cell vehicles that directly employ pure hydrogen will become mainstays in the future. With the aim of bringing just such vehicles one step closer to reality, Toyota has developed the FCHV-3, introduced at the symposium as a new type of FCHV.

The FCHV-3 features a hydrogen-absorbing alloy tank as well as a highly efficient 90 kW fuel cell stack and other unique FCHV systems developed by Toyota.

* 13th International Electric Vehicle Symposium

Acknowledging recent calls for cuts in the CO2 emissions of SUVs (4×4 cars), the FCHV-3 is based on the “Kluger V” sports utility vehicle (a medium size 4×4 sold in Japan).

Furthermore, the FCHV-3 has a secondary battery for storing energy created during braking and other features that ensure high-efficiency driving, such as precise control of the charge and discharge of the secondary battery and of supplementary power supply from that battery to the motor.

Toyota is committed to continuing development of FCHVs and intends to begin road tests this summer.

Specifications of FCHV-3

ENDS