Toyota has updated its Toyota FCHV fuel cell vehicle with a new FC Stack that extends the range of the vehicle considerably.
The FCHV’s original hydrogen storage system could store 148 litres of hydrogen at 35 MPa maximum storage pressure. The new system in the new Toyota FCHV-adv concept vehicle stores 156 litres at a double the maximum pressure – 70 MPa. The result is an increase of maximum cruising range from approximately 330km to a very usable 760km according to the JC08 test cycle, or 830km according to the Japan 10-15 test cycle.
Other contributors to the significantly improved range is a fuel efficiency improvement of 25% through various measures such as improving fuel cell unit performance, a better brake energy regeneration system, and an auxiliary system that consumes less power.
The new fuel cell system can also start at a lower temperature, making it usable in cold regions with ambient temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celcius.
Full specs of the old Toyota FCHV and the new Toyota FCHV-adv found after the jump.
| TOYOTA FCHV-adv | TOYOTA FCHV | ||
| Overall length/width/height (mm) | 4,735/1,815/1,685 | 4,735/1,815/1,685 | |
| Weight (kg) | 1,880 | 1,880 | |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 | |
| Maximum cruising range (km)* 10-15 test cycle/JC08 test cycle |
Approx. 830/Approx. 760 | Approx. 330/ - | |
| Maximum speed (km/h) | 155 | 155 | |
| Fuel cell | Name | Toyota FC Stack | Toyota FC Stack |
| Type | Polymer electrolyte | Polymer electrolyte | |
| Output (kW) | 90 | 90 | |
| Motor | Type | Permanent magnet | Permanent magnet |
| Maximum output in kW (ps) |
90 (122) | 90 (122) | |
| Maximum torque in N-m (kg-m) |
260 (26.5) | 260 (26.5) | |
| Fuel | Hydrogen | Hydrogen | |
| Storage system | High-pressure storage tanks | High-pressure storage tanks | |
| Maximum storage pressure (MPa) | 70 | 35 | |
| Tank capacity (L) | 156 | 148 | |
| Battery | Nickel-metal hydride | Nickel-metal hydride | |
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
i would bet on FC technology more than anything else as the replacement for gasoline. In hot countries like bolehland, cars could be fitted with solar cells to complement fc stacks.
Put in 830 km and 70 MPa in 156 L into the calculation and we can estimate how many KM this thing can go per unit mass(KG) of H2.
And put in an average cost per KM (after fuel hike), and we can calculate how much H2 per KG will cost.
And if in reality H2 cost higher then that cost, people will stick with petroleum..
Solar power, heat from exhaust, anything that can be recycled should be used. Or better we all go back to bicycles…
Hybrid. More R&D please.