Toyota has been developing its hydrogen fuel cell technology since 1992 and has announced they've created a more efficient version of their Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) named the FCHV-adv. This week, the FCHV-adv SUV succeeded in receiving vehicle-type certification from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport that certifies it as a legitimate and operable alternatively fueled vehicle.
Much like the older model, the Highlander-based FCHV-adv employs Toyota's Fuel Cell (FC) Stack that uses a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) capable of better mitigating water within each of its cells. The new unit prevents any liquid from interfering with the associated 90-horsepower electrical motor (just like you learned in elementary school, water and electrical appliances don't mix well).
In order to design a better, more efficient hydrogen car, engineers took it upon themselves to thoroughly comprehend the properties of water and hydrogen -- especially in extremely cold weather conditions. FC Stack developers frequently used computer aided visualization tests to help create the complex MEAs.
Significant focus was also given to enhancing the SUV's regenerative braking system in order to improve overall performance of the nickel metal hydride batteries. Engineers streamlined the operation further by shedding weight through the use of aluminum body panels and increasing efficiency with innovative aerodynamic design. The vehicle's other electronic systems were made more efficient as well, to conserve energy.
So far, testing of the revamped components has proved fruitful for Toyota's hydrogen development team. The FCHV-adv is said to be at least 25 percent more efficient than its predecessor and has achieved its goal of improving cruising distance and low temperature starts - two major downfalls of current hydrogen technology.
When outfitted with 70Mpa high-pressure hydrogen tanks, the FCHV-adv is capable of travelling roughly 515 miles on one tank of hydrogen and can be started at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). Amazingly, the new FC Stack technology more than doubles the operating range of the original FCHV.
During the hybrid's development, Toyota engineers incorporated knowledge gained from various hydrogen fuel cell studies that were previously undertaken by the American and Japanese governments. The automaker is seeking to improve the FC Stack with the hopes of distributing the technology for mass usage around the world.
Although the vehicle will likely not get the production nod from Toyota execs, much of the technology employed by the FCHV-adv can be expected to make its way to consumers in the near future once sufficient hydrogen infrastructures are established.
The FCHV-adv will serve as a test-ride vehicle at this next month's international Hokkaido Toyako Summit in Japan, where world leaders will discuss the state of the world's pertinent affairs.
Source: Toyota