Toyota Introduces First Fuel Cell for Testing on U.S.
Roads
TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 22 As the latest example of its
ongoing commitment to expand technology for environmentally friendly cars and
trucks, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) demonstrated a space-age fuel cell
vehicle today that generates its own on-board electricity with compressed
hydrogen.
The company's new zero-emissions FCHV-4 was put through its paces at the
Toyota Technical Center here for the news media, environmental leaders and
government officials. FCHV is short for "fuel cell hybrid vehicle," and
represents the automaker's next step in hybrid technology, which is available
today in the Toyota Prius sedan.
Based on the new Highlander SUV, the FCHV-4 is the first Toyota fuel cell
on U.S. roads. The company began real-world testing with the vehicle at the
end of July, in cooperation with the California Fuel Cell Partnership.
Organized in 1999, the partnership is a public-private venture dedicated to
demonstrating fuel cell technology in California.
Norihiko Nakamura, an executive advisory engineer responsible for Toyota's
fuel cell development, said the FCHV-4 was completed entirely in house. As a
result, he said, "We were able to give every portion of the system the kind of
performance necessary for a viable automobile."
Nakamura cautioned that it will be at least 10 years before any
manufacturer has a fuel cell ready for mass marketing to consumers. He based
his forecast on a number of problems that have not yet been solved, such as
improving energy efficiency levels, perfecting on-board hydrogen storage,
developing systems that use a variety of fuels and establishing an
infrastructure for distribution of the fuels.
In addition to hydrogen, Toyota is looking at several other fuel sources,
including natural gas, methanol and a relatively new concept called CHF, or
clean hydrocarbon fuel. CHF, which can be made from petroleum or other
resources such as natural gas and coal, will also work in current
gasoline-powered cars.
"It's not a matter of one fuel winning and the other losing," Nakamura
said, "it's a matter of coexistence."
As petroleum resources become increasingly scarce in the years ahead,
Nakamura predicts that "fuel cell vehicles will be the majority of automobiles
in use." Although many improvements must be made by all manufacturers before
mass marketing is feasible, Toyota's FCHV-4 is a good indication of what fuel
cell vehicles may be like.
Based on the five-passenger Highlander, it features a proprietary
high-output 90-kilowatt Toyota FC Stack, which is no larger than a
conventional gasoline engine. The fuel cell stack also works in tandem with a
secondary nickel-metal hydride battery to give the vehicle regenerative
braking and other attributes derived from its unique hybrid system.
It has a top speed of nearly 95 mph and a cruising range of more than
155 miles. In addition, Toyota engineers succeeded in giving the FCHV-4 three
times the vehicle efficiency of an ordinary gasoline-powered car. Under the
rear cargo deck, there are four high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks. Each
tank has a maximum storage pressure of 3,600 PSI (25 MPa), which Toyota hopes
to increase for improved cruising range.
Toyota is already conducting road tests in Japan with five FCHV-4s, which
have accumulated more than 3,000 miles. In the U.S., it has assigned three
full-time engineers to support its activities with the California Fuel Cell
Partnership. Two FCHV-4s will undergo rigorous testing in the U.S. to prove
that Toyota's proprietary fuel cells perform adequately under American road
conditions. At the same time, Toyota engineers will collect performance data
on expressway travel, hill climbing and other severe situations.
In total, Toyota has seven FCHVs on U.S. and Japanese roads, more than any
manufacturer. By implementing real-world testing in both countries, the
company can demonstrate its commitment to FCHV development and achieve its
ultimate goal of commercializing FCHVs.
FCHV-4 MAIN SPECIFICATIONS
Vehicle Dimensions 186.4 (L) x 71.5 (W) x 66.3 (H) (inches)
Maximum speed Nearly 95 mph
Cruising distance Over 155 miles
Seating capacity 5 persons
Fuel cell Type Polymer electrolyte fuel cell
stack Output 120 HP (90 kW)
Motor Type Permanent magnet
Maximum output 107 HP (80 kW)
Maximum torque 191 lb-ft (260 Nm)
Fuel Type Pure hydrogen
Storage method High-pressure hydrogen storage tank
Maximum storage
pressure 3,600 PSI
Secondary
battery Nickel-metal hydride battery
FCHV Development to Date
1992
* FCHV development began in earnest
October, 1996
* Hydrogen fueled FCHV at EVS-13, Osaka
1997
* Methanol fueled FCHV at both Frankfurt and Tokyo motor shows,
a world first
October, 1999
* Exhibition of latest FCHV components at Tokyo Motor Show
October, 2000
* Joined the California Fuel Cell Partnership
January, 2001
* Announced a plan for joint development of Clean Hydrocarbon Fuel
(CHF) with GM and Exxon Mobile
February, 2001
* Hydrogen fueled FCHV-3 at the International Symposium on Fuel Cell
Vehicles
June, 2001
* Pressurized hydrogen-fueled FCHV-4 and FCHV-BUS1 at 4th
Toyota Environmental Forum
* Started FCHV-4 real-world testing in Japan
July, 2001
* Started FCHV-4 real-world testing in the U.S. in cooperation with
the California Fuel Cell Partnership
