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The electric car is increasingly present in urban centers. But besides electric vehicles, the large vehicle manufacturers are looking for alternatives to the problems generated by traditional fuel and gradually more charging points are being seen for this type of passenger car, which began its adventures in the world as something futuristic that 'was going to last two days'. However, even if they generate fewer emissions for the ozone layer, they cause other problems such as a shortage of lithium or massive exploitation to get the maximum number of batteries possible . There are not a few who insist that this transition to the electric vehicle is useless, since it does not do any favors to improve the environment or the planet. Volvo, for example, dismissed this as a fad, notes Xavi Mogrovejo.
What does this revolution proposed by Toyota consist of?
Toyota, on the other hand, seems to have a solution for this: hydrogen combustion engine.
Toyota already has vehicles with hydrogen cells, but there are too many problems in manufacturing for them to spread throughout the world. In order for interest in this type of product to grow, the production costs of this liquid should be lowered, as well as providing industries with access to it so that the manufacturing network grows like foam and massive construction processes begin to be carried out of these prototypes . As an alternative, Toyota offers the hydrogen internal combustion engine.
The company's president, Akio Toyoda, has long argued that the problem with combustion engines is not the combustion itself, but rather the carbon byproduct of burning fossil fuels. That's why hydrogen, which emits an almost negligible amount of carbon, is the perfect solution in Toyota's eyes . After seeing the Yaris GR, which has these characteristics, several manufacturers in the industry want to join this change. Toyota with this could give a strong blow on the table and shake a company like Yamaha or Rolls-Royce. It remains to be seen, of course, how this fits into the current market and if these types of vehicles are embraced, since although there are electric or hybrid cars, traditional fuel cars are still the most sought after.
What do you think of Toyota's alternative to electric vehicles? Please, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and thanks for reading and sharing in social media.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.
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Comments
Burning any fuel causes
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Burning any fuel causes emissions, and this choice by Toyota is not a good one. The fuel cell is actually an efficient design, and burning hydrogen does not really address the issues with refueling hydrogen infrastructure, or the high price of hydrogen. A FAR better choice is to swap out the 3rd hydrogen tank in the Mirai, and swap in the 18.1 kWh battery from the RAV4 Prime. The Mirai already has a tiny buffer battery built in, and adding in plug-in capability would give the car maybe 50-60 miles of EV-only range. Helping with all of the hydrogen "issues" slowing adoption today.
Hydrogen is extracted from
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In reply to Burning any fuel causes by DeanMcManis (not verified)
Hydrogen is extracted from water h2o two parts hydrogen one part oxygen when burned in a ice hydrogen is compressed with air in the engine when burned goes back to its original form h2o no emissions just water
Hydrogen can easily be .ade
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In reply to Burning any fuel causes by DeanMcManis (not verified)
Hydrogen can easily be .ade from "seawater" by electrolysis.
.Multi-billion dollar project being built in Saudia Arabia with Air Products Company
I'm interested to read about
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In reply to Hydrogen can easily be .ade by James Hunter (not verified)
I'm interested to read about the company you are referring too. I,m eager to support hydrogen vehicles but which ones are there only for the quick dollar company.
Easily? No, not easily. There
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In reply to Hydrogen can easily be .ade by James Hunter (not verified)
Easily? No, not easily. There are many companies out there trying to make it viable and make it viable on a grand scale. None are successful yet.
Sure, the idea of hydrogen is nice, but the cost of green hydrogen is way too high and doesn't show signs of getting cheaper until extraction from electrolysis is truly a thing.
Until then, it's a non starter since gray hydrogen is the majority of hydrogen usage now.
We also know an electric engine requires much less maintenance than a combustion engine.
And just like companies trying to produce cheap green hydrogen there are companies trying to produce better batteries, better charging and so on.
And if you think plentiful cheap green hydrogen is right around the corner, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell you really cheap. You probably buy hook line and sinker every article that claims X company is on the verge of a tremendous breakthrough and will revolutionize the hydrogen industry. Because the truth is, it's utter BS. Just like all the companies that are on the verge of the perfect battery or charging solution. The thing is, it's great on a small scale in a lab. But they can't scale it up. They can't do it cheap. And until those two things happen, it's all a myth, on the electric and hydrogen fronts.
Now I can have all my electricity to my home come from renewable sources. I can charge my car from home a vast majority of the time. It will save me greatly over my ice Subaru regardless of the higher curb weight and faster wearing tires. So I think my choice is easy when I'm ready to buy next year. Five to ten years from now, maybe the choice won't be as easy.
Agreed! Perfect solution.
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In reply to Burning any fuel causes by DeanMcManis (not verified)
Agreed! Perfect solution.
Exactly. The future is: EV
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In reply to Burning any fuel causes by DeanMcManis (not verified)
Exactly. The future is: EV/Fuel Cell Hybrid.
Batteries for commuting and local trips. FC which provides for quick recharging and eliminates range anxiety for long distance driving.
Hydrogen makes sense if
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Hydrogen makes sense if supply is huge and distribution centers are adequate.
I think EV vehicles are fade
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I think EV vehicles are fade that will last a few years but I think hydrogen is the way to the future. Making of the batteries has to many environmental problems that may be worst then fossil fuels in the end.
Hydrogen fuel is the way of the future I feel.
The vision of hydrogen fuel
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The vision of hydrogen fuel cells both for transportation but also a source for home heating and electricity is very exciting. I had thought 20-30 years ago that hydrogen fuel cells would have replaced carbon fueled cars as well as home heating and electrification by now. But despite its promise, progress in achieving a hydrogen based economy has been dismally slow to advance. Perhaps Toyota can revive this dream. Having hoped for so long, it is hard to know if this too is but a pipe dream!
YEAH!!!! The EV is a pipe
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YEAH!!!! The EV is a pipe dream and a waste of time for the average person. Just one drawback along with many others. Where in the world are the people in NYC going to charge their EV vehicles, they don’t have enough parking as it is. Just one issue. There are plenty more downsides. to EV.
Chargers will eventually be
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In reply to YEAH!!!! The EV is a pipe by Mary Kunkler (not verified)
Chargers will eventually be ubiquitous. Charging technology is not sitting still. It keeps gettng faster and faster. Battery tech is also advancing and following Wrights Law. Gas powered vehicles burning fossil fuels will be as quaint as a horse drawn carriage.
Everyone is talking about
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In reply to Chargers will eventually be by Rob (not verified)
Everyone is talking about hydrogen on this article about hydrogen. Nearly everyone knows fossil fuels are on their way out. Good riddance. Hydrogen is the best alternative for mass conversion. Infrastructure is not ready any time soon to provide clean energy to keep EVs a greener tech. Hydrogen could fix that issue.
The downside is things go really badly in an accident with compressed hydrogen.
Except everyone that lives
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In reply to YEAH!!!! The EV is a pipe by Mary Kunkler (not verified)
Except everyone that lives outside of NYC knows NYC is not the center of the universe and doesn't care.
But on the flip side, wireless charging grids can also become a thing and be cheaper to roll out in mass lots as opposed to individual charging stations.
Hydrogen cells as an
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Hydrogen cells as an alternative fuel source for cleaner burning internal combustion engines is a great idea. Something that we need now more than ever.
BMW experimented with
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BMW experimented with hydrogen engines and I could never understand why this environmental friendly method of energy was not refined and promoted as the alternative to fossil fuel.
I applaud Toyota for its attempt to bring the car industry into the 21st century while making this world a better cleaner place to live
If Toyota is so confident
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If Toyota is so confident about this ca ca tech, why won't Toyota put up the stations like Tesla. It's ca ca tech because that hydrogen used is liquified.
What makes Tesla so much profound to this ca ca tech is that EV owners can charge their car at home. Converting hydrogen to a liquid requires energy to make the gas cold. All the videos on this people say it's cold. Duh?
Toyota is wrong and Elon was right.
No one is going to buy that stupid car with a $20000 gift card because when that gift card runs out no one wants to pay high hydrogen prices. $200 fill for hydrogen. GTFOH Toyota.
Has anyone considered aqueous
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In reply to If Toyota is so confident by stan kinaz (not verified)
Has anyone considered aqueous combustion of magnesium as a means of releasing hydrogen to a fuel cell? Water's cheap, and the cost of a kilo of Mg compares well with a liter of gas. There are no pressure or cryonic issues in such a model, and magnesium hoppers could be added to any filling station. The resulting MgOH slurry would be pumped out and re-refined, and a credit assigned to the user for its value.
I would be interested in
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In reply to Has anyone considered aqueous by Tom (not verified)
I would be interested in talking with you in regards to this magnesium concept.
I am all for hydrogen
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I am all for hydrogen vehicles. An added benefit is that hydrogen fuel cells can also power homes, thus getting rid of all the transmission waste caused by the power grid.
Waiting. My next vehicle will
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Waiting. My next vehicle will probably be Hydrogen Fueled if available
This is the answer to those
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This is the answer to those obsessed with the hype about "climate change".
If those folks knew/cared how "dirty" lithium-ion batteries were, or the vulnerability we put ourselves in by going that route, episodes of cardiac arrest would explode.
Hydrogen, as a fuel, is very clean, and the well known technology, and fueling speed, of the ICE would survive and flourish.
Good for Toyota!!
Boost production technology for liquid hydrogen.
Great idea. I have a Prius
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Great idea. I have a Prius and love it. Dont want a Tesla.
I'm waiting to be able to
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I'm waiting to be able to fuel up with hydrogen. Europe is going this way. Why isn't the USA?? This is the way.
Give yourself a treat, see
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Give yourself a treat, see for yourself what John Kanzius discovered using salt water and radio waves - on wikipedia, youtube, etc. Best wishes.
Toyota of Hollywood (Florida)
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Toyota of Hollywood (Florida) is now taking orders for their Mirai.
Hyundai down the road (441) is shortly to follow for their Nexo!
Finally,,, some common sense.
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Finally,,, some common sense. Hydrogen is the fuel, not for the future, it must be put to use NOW. This is America, we can do this! Stop the insanity about EV's.
Yes - battery based vehicles
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Yes - battery based vehicles are a joke when it comes to environmental issues. They may not emit harmful exhaust but the manufacturing, recycling and recharging aspects are extremely harmful. I do think the hydrogen fueled vehicles are a good solution for individual transportation purposes however mass transit solutions need to be advanced as well.
Thank you Toyota EV cars are
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In reply to Yes - battery based vehicles by Fred (not verified)
Thank you Toyota EV cars are worthless and the environmental impact of mining for the material to produce them is as bad as ICE vehicles. Hydrogen vehicles are the true future of automotive industry.
Checkout the article of Oswego nuclear power plant hydrogen production.
Honda has had hydrogen
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Honda has had hydrogen powered cars for years. They have been tested successfully in Los Angeles by the government since they are under mandate to reduce emissions. The biggest problem is the lack of support for refueling them, Having worked as a mechanic for 27 years for a foreign brand and having replaced hundreds of hybrid batteries at costs of $3,000 and up to customers, I will NEVER own an electric car.