Toyota Aims to Rebuild the Story of Hydrogen as a Viable Fuel for Vehicles
Toyota is confident that it can change the narrative around hydrogen as a viable fuel for vehicles. Despite the limited success of the company’s Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) due to the lack of infrastructure and concerns about the environmental impact of hydrogen production, Toyota believes that recent developments in heavy industry and other fields could make hydrogen a more attractive option in the future.
Thiebault Paquet, Toyota’s hydrogen boss in Europe, sees potential for hydrogen in heavy-duty transport, where battery-electric vehicles may not be the optimal solution. He emphasizes the need for simultaneous development of infrastructure and products to avoid the supply and demand issues that have hindered hydrogen in the past. Paquet believes that the use of hydrogen in heavy industry can create volume and contribute to its adoption in other applications, such as commercial vehicles and passenger cars.
One of the main criticisms of hydrogen as a fuel is its production process, which has a higher environmental impact compared to electricity. However, Paquet argues that advancements in hydrogen production could address this concern. The European Union has set ambitious targets for hydrogen, expecting it to account for 13-20% of its energy mix by 2050 and aiming for 40GW of “green” hydrogen production by 2030.
To support the adoption of hydrogen, the EU plans to establish hydrogen refueling stations in every city and every 124 miles along key road networks. While initially focused on long-distance delivery trucks, these stations could contribute to the development of a hydrogen refueling network for cars.
Paquet also highlights the advantage of hydrogen over electricity in terms of transportability. While electricity needs to be used relatively close to where it’s generated, liquid hydrogen can be easily transported, making it a viable option for regions that cannot fully sustain themselves.
Toyota’s commitment to hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles showcases its long-term vision and belief in the potential of this technology. By investing in hydrogen powertrains and addressing concerns about infrastructure and environmental impact, Toyota aims to rebuild the story of hydrogen and position it as a viable alternative to traditional fuels.
In conclusion, Toyota’s confidence in hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles stems from developments in heavy industry and ongoing advancements in hydrogen production. While there are challenges to overcome, such as infrastructure and environmental impact, Toyota believes that hydrogen has the potential to be a suitable solution, especially for heavy-duty transport. By investing in hydrogen powertrains and working on infrastructure development, Toyota aims to change the perception of hydrogen and position it as a viable fuel option for the future.
Sources:
– Autocar: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/technology/hydrogen-cars