It’s only a little less than a year until the commercial launch of the new Toyota FCV. The first fuel cell car of the House of the three ellipses is ready to make its debut on the Japanese market in March 2015. The new four-door sedan powered by hydrogen by Toyota shows a very original car body that blends sharp edges and sharp cuts for aerodynamic reasons, even if the result is too whimsical and unconventional.
Toyota FCV
The Toyota FCV is powered by an electric engine, which in turn is powered by the energy of a battery pack that is created from a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The mix of hydrogen is made by the storage in the reservoir of the latter element, which is in liquid form. Its pollutant emissions are zero, whereas the use of hydrogen for the production of electrical energy that powers the engine makes the substance as harmless as water vapor. The car’s performance – secured by the electric motor of 136 hp, capable of propelling the car from 0 to 100 km / h in about 10 seconds – is more than enough to satisfy most of the needs of everyday use, while the range of 700 Km is great, especially when compared to that of a purely electric vehicle.
Toyota FCV
Another advantage compared to traditional electric cars is that of rapid refueling times: to make a recharge of hydrogen in fact it takes 3 to 5 minutes. Unfortunately for hydrogen cars there are still many limitations, considering the high cost of production, but also a very low presence of network of distributors around the world.
Toyota FCV
The Toyota FCV will be sold in Japan at a price of 7 million yen (about 50,000 Euros at current exchange rates), to which should be added to the 8% to the cost of VAT, while in a second time the car will be distributed in Europe and the USA. The price has been kept below expectations, although still it is a substantial figure – due to the high cost of special components – comparable to that of a car with premium features. As happened in the past with hybrid models, Honda will soon also be the manufacturer who will offer a viable alternative to Toyota FCV, especially after the news released by the Japanese government on the financing of a wider network of hydrogen refueling stations.
Toyota FCV
For more on Toyota check: New Toyota Aygo 2014 | Starting production, Toyota TS030 Hybrid: Hybrid laboratory standard, Toyota testing cable-free electric car charging system
