Toyota, one of the leaders in automotive technology, is making waves again with a rather radical solution to mainstream electric vehicles. Due to the polarization of the industry around battery electric vehicles, Toyota is now looking at different ways to achieve the desired carbon neutrality, and hydrogen combustion technology seems to be one of the solutions.
The recent unveiling of the Corolla Cross Hydrogen Concept proves that Toyota has embarked on a new path to produce environmentally friendly automobiles. This courageous step is a testament to Toyota's long-term vision to address global environmental issues and the company's commitment to contributing to the development of sustainable mobility in accordance with the demands of markets and customers around the world.
Toyota's multi-technology strategy towards carbon neutrality
Toyota's strategy to realise its zero-emission vision is to develop and offer a range of technologies to meet the different requirements and circumstances of buyers around the world, including Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs).
As such, Toyota is using a variety of strategies to offer its customers ways to reduce their carbon impact, whatever their situation. The company is adamant that it is too early to pin all hope on one zero-emission solution, and is developing hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen combustion and battery-electric technologies in parallel.
Toyota's multi-pronged approach to this issue allows the company to take into account a broader range of differences in aspects such as regional infrastructure, energy and customer choice, resulting in a more balanced and healthy transition to a carbon-neutral future for the automotive industry.
Accelerating technological development through success in motorsports
Another fascinating aspect of Toyota is that it effectively utilizes its presence in motorsport events to further research and development of hydrogen combustion technology. Toyota has competed in Japan's Super Taikyu race with its Rookie Racing Team and GR Corolla H2 hydrogen car.
This gruelling race resulted in significant performance improvements in terms of power, torque and range, as well as reduced refuelling times. The information gained from these tests helped to rapidly develop hydrogen combustion technology and laid the foundations for the future use of this innovation in road vehicles.
Through its motorsports operations, Toyota has also built cooperative relationships with many parties involved in the production and logistics of green hydrogen, and has built a network of partnerships in fields outside of the automotive industry as well, working to realize a carbon-neutral society.
Corolla Cross Hydrogen Concept: Life Peep – A glimpse into the future of green cars
Building on its track record in motorsports, Toyota designed the Corolla Cross Hydrogen Concept, a prototype to prove that hydrogen combustion technology is feasible for road use. Toyota is now leveraging its racing-derived H35 high-pressure hydrogen direct injection engine technology and hydrogen tank packaging experience from its Mirai fuel cell vehicle.
The result is a convenient five-seater vehicle with performance close to that of a standard gasoline engine. The idea shows the potential applications of hydrogen combustion, which, with the help of ICG technology, can be refueled quickly and use many elements that are not associated with limited supplies, such as lithium and nickel.
This approach not only contributes to environmental protection, but also helps consumers become accustomed to new technology, which is crucial in the transition to zero-emission vehicles without considering their overall performance and reliability in everyday use.
Why Toyota's bold step into hydrogen technology is crucial for the future of sustainable mobility
In conclusion, Toyota's manufacturing concept of the Corolla Cross Hydrogen concept car is one of the key advancements towards the introduction of carbonless consumption in the automotive industry. Based on the above strategies, it can be said that the company is comprehensively investing in the development of new technologies as it works in various areas towards achieving the goal of zero emissions.
These developments include hydrogen combustion technology. Although this technology is not yet fully developed, Toyota envisages that the technology stack is 40% ready for commercial transport and the benefits are significant. Hydrogen combustion could therefore help most automakers implement a more efficient and cheaper CO2 reduction solution, especially as it develops.
Whether this technology makes it into road vehicles soon or remains exclusive to motorsport, Toyota's current multifaceted approach to achieving zero emissions is pushing boundaries and offering more diverse options for making transportation greener.
