Sylvie Willis
Toyota's hydrogen-powered car, the Mirai, is an electric vehicle that uses a hydrogen fuel stack to produce electricity instead of a battery. Hydrogen from the fuel tank and oxygen from the air combine in the Fuel Cell Stack to create electricity through a chemical reaction. The Mirai's only by-product is water, and it is more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines, emitting no CO2. Toyota has been promoting various initiatives in the areas of Create, Transport, Store, and Use hydrogen in pursuit of a hydrogen society and carbon neutrality.
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell technology
Toyota's Mirai, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), exemplifies their commitment to this technology. The Mirai runs on hydrogen, which combines with oxygen from the air in a fuel cell stack to create electricity and power the vehicle. The only emission from the Mirai is water vapour, making it a zero-tailpipe-emission solution. Toyota has sold approximately 28,000 units of the Mirai across more than 30 countries and territories, showcasing the growing adoption of this technology.
The Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS) is a key component of the Mirai's success. It combines fuel cell technology with hybrid technology, resulting in improved energy efficiency compared to internal combustion engines and zero CO2 emissions during operation. The TFCS also includes high-pressure hydrogen tanks made of carbon fibre, ensuring strength and durability.
Toyota continues to innovate with the development of its third-generation fuel cell (3rd Gen FC) system, which offers improved durability, fuel efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This new system is designed to meet the needs of both passenger vehicles and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, with plans to introduce it in markets like Japan, Europe, North America, and China after 2026.
Other companies, such as Stellantis, are also investing in hydrogen fuel cell technology. Stellantis has started producing hydrogen fuel cell light commercial vehicles, integrating the fuel cell propulsion system with their existing battery electric LCV platform. This approach ensures no impact on cargo space and provides a range of up to 500 km for large vans.
The development and adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology hold great potential for reducing carbon emissions and preserving our planet. With continued advancements and collaborations across industries, we can expect to see even more applications and benefits of this technology in the future.
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Hydrogen as a fuel source
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that, when consumed in a fuel cell, produces electricity, water, and heat. Hydrogen fuel can be produced through several methods, including natural gas reforming, electrolysis, and solar-driven and biological processes. The most common methods today are natural gas reforming and electrolysis.
Electrolysis is a process in which water is separated into oxygen and hydrogen. This process can be done using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power, avoiding the greenhouse gas and harmful air pollutant emissions associated with reforming. Converting renewable energy to hydrogen via electrolysis allows it to be stored and used at a later date, while also stabilizing the energy grid by providing an "on-tap" energy source. Hydrogen can be stored for long periods without significant losses, making it an attractive fuel option for transportation and electricity generation applications.
Hydrogen is also a versatile fuel with numerous applications. It can be used in cars, houses, and for portable power, among other uses. Hydrogen is considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and its use as a transportation fuel is of particular interest. Hydrogen fuel cells coupled with electric motors are two to three times more efficient than internal combustion engines running on gasoline. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cells have zero emissions, making them an attractive option for reducing carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.
Toyota, for example, has developed the Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that runs on hydrogen and produces water as its only byproduct. The Mirai uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which features both fuel cell and hybrid technology. The TFCS is more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines and emits no CO2 or substances of concern during operation. Toyota has sold approximately 28,000 units of the Mirai across more than 30 countries and territories.
Toyota is actively collaborating with partners across various industries to promote the use of hydrogen as a fuel and achieve a hydrogen society. The company has also developed a third-generation fuel cell system (3rd Gen FC System) with improved durability, fuel efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This new system will be expanded for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles and is planned for introduction in markets mainly in Japan, Europe, North America, and China after 2026.
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Hydrogen refuelling
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that runs on hydrogen and emits only water. Hydrogen from the fuel tank and air entering from the intake grille meet in the Fuel Cell Stack, where a chemical reaction involving oxygen and hydrogen creates electricity to power the car.
The time it takes to refuel a hydrogen-powered car is comparable to that of a conventional vehicle. The Mirai, for example, can be refuelled in as little as 3 to 5 minutes, providing a total range of 480 km (300 miles) on a full tank. This range can vary depending on driving conditions and the vehicle's efficiency.
The availability and accessibility of HRSs are crucial for the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered cars. Toyota has been actively collaborating with partners across various industries to promote the development and expansion of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. Initiatives have focused on the "Create, Transport, Store, and Use" aspects of hydrogen, aiming to accelerate the use cases and adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
To find specific station locations and availability, drivers can visit websites like h2fcp.org, operated by the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership, to gain more detailed information about hydrogen refuelling options in their area.
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Hydrogen's environmental benefits
Hydrogen fuel has the potential to bring significant environmental benefits. Firstly, hydrogen-powered cars, such as the Toyota Mirai, only emit water vapour, reducing carbon emissions and helping to combat climate change. This is particularly notable as the transportation sector accounts for approximately 30% of total US energy needs and 70% of US petroleum consumption. Hydrogen fuel can help strengthen national energy security, conserve petroleum, and provide a more diverse range of transportation energy options.
Another benefit of hydrogen fuel is its potential to decarbonize heavy industry, a sector with some of the most challenging emissions to tackle. Hydrogen can be used to produce high-temperature heat for industrial processes, all while emitting zero greenhouse gases. This can significantly reduce the carbon emissions from sectors such as steel manufacturing, which currently relies on fossil fuels and contributes millions of tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere each year.
Additionally, hydrogen can be produced domestically from a variety of resources, including natural gas, coal, solar energy, wind, and biomass. This reduces the dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthens energy security. Hydrogen fuel cells also have the advantage of being more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines, further reducing environmental impacts.
However, it is important to note that hydrogen is a leak-prone gas with a potent warming effect. Measures must be implemented to prevent hydrogen leaks, as unchecked emissions can reduce the climate benefits of using hydrogen fuel. Nevertheless, with proper management and use, hydrogen has the potential to bring substantial environmental benefits and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Hydrogen's use in other vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are related to electric cars but differ in several ways. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles combine hydrogen and oxygen to generate power, with the only by-product being water vapour. Hydrogen fuel is stored in carbon-fibre-reinforced fuel tanks, which are designed to automatically close in the event of a leak or collision.
Hydrogen has been used as a fuel source for vehicles other than cars, including buses, forklift trucks, boats, and rockets. Toyota has supplied hydrogen fuel cell systems for use in buses, railroads, and stationary power generators. Hydrogen fuel cell technology has also been tested in an electric semi-trailer truck, with promising results.
The use of hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles offers several advantages. Hydrogen is abundant, comprising 70% of matter in the universe, and can be locally sourced. When produced with renewable energy, it can be entirely carbon-free. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines and produce no tailpipe emissions or harmful substances. They also offer a longer range than traditional electric vehicles, with the Toyota Mirai capable of travelling up to 1,360 km on a single tank of hydrogen.
However, there are also some disadvantages to hydrogen-powered vehicles. The hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is still developing, and there are a limited number of retail stations, which can charge high prices. Additionally, hydrogen vehicles cannot be refuelled at home, similar to gasoline cars.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen is the fuel for the Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell car.
Hydrogen from the fuel tank and air entering from the intake grille meet in the Fuel Cell Stack. Then a chemical reaction involving the oxygen and hydrogen creates electricity, powering the car.
The by-product of the Toyota Mirai is water vapour.
