Toyota Confirms Hydrogen Vehicle for 2015
01-13-09, 08:07 AM
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Toyota Confirms Hydrogen Vehicle for 2015
Toyota Confirms Hydrogen Vehicle for 2015
Could be a Highlander
by Zack Newmark
January 13, 2009 5:42 PM
Toyota has announced plans to sell a hydrogen-powered car by the year 2015. The statement was made at a presentation during the North American International Auto Show.
The Japanese company has continued to make a splash in alternative powered vehicles. They will release a plug-in hybrid later this year, and a two-seat all-electric by 2012.
Hinting at the company's current strategy, Toyota executive VP Masatami Takimoto thinks the entire future of autos will be grouped into three categoires. In the city, people will drive all-electric vehicles, and everywhere else we will use either electric-hybrids or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, he said.
In an interview at Detroit, Takimoto confirmed the 2015 release of the hydrogen car. Toyota has been testing a hydrogen version of the Highlander, which is already sold as a hybrid. Takimoto also spoke on the need to build both consumer confidence in hydrogen power, and a fueling station infrastructure.
Despite the current low price of oil, the price of the commodity could easily spike again. “We will run out of any alternative strategies if the oil supply diminishes,” Takimoto said.
“Oil consumption will increase, and the supply could become unstable.”
BMW already leases the Hydrogen 7, while Honda has shown off the FCX Clarity. GM has talked off and on about releasing a hydrogen car by 2011.
The Toyota Highlander FCHV (fuel cell hydrogen vehicle) can be seen now at the NAIAS. No confirmation if this crossover would be the vehicle Toyota puts their chips on for the fuel cell revolution.
Could be a Highlander
by Zack Newmark
January 13, 2009 5:42 PM
Toyota has announced plans to sell a hydrogen-powered car by the year 2015. The statement was made at a presentation during the North American International Auto Show.
The Japanese company has continued to make a splash in alternative powered vehicles. They will release a plug-in hybrid later this year, and a two-seat all-electric by 2012.
Hinting at the company's current strategy, Toyota executive VP Masatami Takimoto thinks the entire future of autos will be grouped into three categoires. In the city, people will drive all-electric vehicles, and everywhere else we will use either electric-hybrids or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, he said.
In an interview at Detroit, Takimoto confirmed the 2015 release of the hydrogen car. Toyota has been testing a hydrogen version of the Highlander, which is already sold as a hybrid. Takimoto also spoke on the need to build both consumer confidence in hydrogen power, and a fueling station infrastructure.
Despite the current low price of oil, the price of the commodity could easily spike again. “We will run out of any alternative strategies if the oil supply diminishes,” Takimoto said.
“Oil consumption will increase, and the supply could become unstable.”
BMW already leases the Hydrogen 7, while Honda has shown off the FCX Clarity. GM has talked off and on about releasing a hydrogen car by 2011.
The Toyota Highlander FCHV (fuel cell hydrogen vehicle) can be seen now at the NAIAS. No confirmation if this crossover would be the vehicle Toyota puts their chips on for the fuel cell revolution.
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01-13-09, 11:12 AM
#4
There are always drawbacks but that doesn't mean we cant't work our way towards it. We can't keep on using the "we have no infrastructures to support it" argument whenever there is a new technology that comes along. When mankind were still riding on horses, there were no networks of gasoline stations. It's only a matter of time until technology improves. Who would have thought in the 1920s that we'd have cars like the Prius/Insight today which gets at least 50mpg? I'm all for using gasoline at the moment (I prefer it), but I'm not against venturing into other methods of fuel.
01-13-09, 12:04 PM
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We have to try something b/c we can't depend on just petrol powered cars. Hell cars and gas stations started somewhere! Its not like there was already infrustructure and then Ford came along with the Model T.
Honda is trying with its Clarity now (I've heard they cost 1 million each) and glad to see Toyota trying it too along with BMW.
Honda is trying with its Clarity now (I've heard they cost 1 million each) and glad to see Toyota trying it too along with BMW.
01-13-09, 12:05 PM
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There are always drawbacks but that doesn't mean we cant't work our way towards it. We can't keep on using the "we have no infrastructures to support it" argument whenever there is a new technology that comes along. When mankind were still riding on horses, there were no networks of gasoline stations. It's only a matter of time until technology improves. Who would have thought in the 1920s that we'd have cars like the Prius/Insight today which gets at least 50mpg? I'm all for using gasoline at the moment (I prefer it), but I'm not against venturing into other methods of fuel.
I'm glad research and innovations like this are happening. Progress is good.
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01-13-09, 12:54 PM
#9
Indeed extracting hydrogen is expensive, but the process can only get better. Remember when solar panels first hit the market? They were damn inefficient, but look at whats available today. Solar panels have gotten much more efficient (although still not up there yet). We can't expect the technology to be at best right away. it will take decades to get where we want. Let the free market drive up the competition and soon enough, you'll make progress. It's not like we are definite that there are no other way to extract hydrogen.
01-13-09, 04:05 PM
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nothing wrong with using nuclear power plants to generate hydrogen. Heck you can use nuclear to desalinate water, power homes, power cars.... too bad we stopped building nuke plants we are many generations behind using out dated designs....
pebble bed reactors are what we need.
I like how in Germany people are complaining they can't heat their homes because Russia turned off the gas pipeline. Meanwhile France stays nice and toasty using electric heaters from their nuke plants.
pebble bed reactors are what we need.
I like how in Germany people are complaining they can't heat their homes because Russia turned off the gas pipeline. Meanwhile France stays nice and toasty using electric heaters from their nuke plants.
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