Toyota is at it again. The automaker has shown promise in the past with fuel cell vehicles, and now it has managed to outdo itself. Toyota’s FCHV-adv model runs on both hydrogen and electricity, and can go twice as far as previous Toyota fuel cell models. This is quite an announcement for Toyota and the automotive world.

The vehicle switches between electric power and a hydrogen fuel cell. The vehicle can go up to 516 miles before it needs a fill up.

While this is exciting news, Japan is the only place that is going to get to see the FCHV-adv model in the near future. While the vehicle is going to be available for leasing in Japan later this year, there are no plans for a global release as of yet.

What is so great about a fuel cell vehicle? Most importantly, it does not emit any pollutants. It is able to be pollution free by running on a chemical reaction that is created by hydrogen and oxygen, which produces water.

The Toyota FCHV-adv boasts a 25% increased fuel efficiency. Toyota was able to make some adjustments with the previous braking system in order to make that improvement.

One of the most exciting things about Toyota’s announcement is the starting temperature. The new FCHV-adv can start in temperatures as low as 22 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. That is unusual for a fuel cell vehicle. The technology is incredibly difficult to get running when it is cold out, so Toyota has made great improvements.

Fuel cell vehicles are the next thing in hybrid vehicles. Although this vehicle is currently only up for distribution in Japan, the global market should expect to see it in the future. The world is hungry for advanced hybrid models, and surely Toyota has plans to take advantage of that hunger.

Other automakers have plans to release hydrogen vehicles. By 2010, consumers can expect to see hydrogen vehicles on the street in a much larger magnitude. Until then, we can just wait and hope for vehicles such as the FCHV-adv to make it to our market so we can take advantage of the technology.

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Filed Under: General, fuel cell

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