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You’ve probably heard of hybrid autos—cars running on both gasoline and electric engines—but have you heard of Toyota fuel cell vehicles or FCVs? An FCV is way better than a hybrid and is the nearest thing to an ultimate eco-car because it is powered by fuel cells that generate electricity from hydrogen. This method is more energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly, and sustainable than hybrid technology simply because it would have no need for gasoline, which hybrids still use. Because of this, Toyota is doing its best to make fuel cell technology widely available. The FCV difference The company’s FCVs work like the gasoline hybrids, only the internal combustion engine is replaced with a fuel cell that burns hydrogen—and if you remember your chemistry classes, this means that the FCVs emit only water vapor. Why hydrogen in the first place? Well, hydrogen is a good source of carbon dioxide-free energy that can be produced from different sources, so it’s definitely sustainable. In addition, it can easily be stored and transported. Breakthroughs in scientific research have also pointed towards methods of environmentally-friendly hydrogen production. Before, conventional hydrogen was produced from natural gas. This process involved the emission of large amounts of carbon, which would have defeated the purpose of the eco-car. This is the reason why it is important to produce hydrogen using renewable resources. In the United States, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has already signed an agreement with Toyota to borrow four FCVs in development so the Department of Energy can take a closer look at the technology of Toyota’s fuel cell vehicles. All of the aspects of FCVs will be studied: the production of renewable hydrogen, vehicle performance, and hydrogen fueling equipment. Their study will be able to come up with a detailed documentation of the FCVs’ reliability and durability, which will signify whether these will be commercially successful or not. How do FCVs work? Well, the fuel cell won’t do all the work. When the car is running at a steady cruising speed, the engine will be powered by energy generated by the fuel cell. When the car needs more power such as in sudden acceleration, the battery adds to the output of the fuel cell. When less power is needed such as in low speeds, Toyota’s fuel cell vehicle runs only on battery power. And when it’s time to stop, the motor works as a generator to capture the energy produced when braking and store it in the battery. FCV Concept Car Toyota has announced that it is developing a fuel-cell concept vehicle, called the FCV-R. It will have a sedan body type and the company plans to launch it in 2015. The car can accommodate up to four passengers and space for luggage because the fuel cell unit will be placed beneath the body. The vehicle body has to be specially-designed because it has to accommodate the fuel cell stack that includes a 70MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank. More details on the car will emerge when the car gets its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, so stay tuned for more news about Toyota’s fuel cell vehicles.
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