Toyota Considering More Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
The Toyota Mirai could spawn a family of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for the Japanese automaker.
At least that’s the hope of Yoshikazu Tanaka, chief engineer for the Toyota Mirai. Tanaka believes that in 10 to 20 years, hydrogen fuel cell cars will be as popular as hybrids are today, giving the technology a similar trajectory as the original Prius. Eventually, the engineer would like to see the Mirai “procreate,” with Toyota adding new models using hydrogen fuel cell technology. Although Tanaka wouldn’t share what’s under consideration, another insider source reports that a wagon, hatchback, multi-purpose vehicle and SUV are all being looked at.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Toyota Mirai Review
Although the Toyota Mirai is still in its early stages of being on the market, hydrogen fuel cell technology is already progressing at a rapid pace. Tanaka shared that a fuel cell that weighed 238 pounds in 2008 and produced 121 horsepower now weighs just 123 lbs and provides 153 hp. He also admitted finding a genuinely clean source of producing hydrogen for all fuel cell cars is still a long ways off.
Hydrogen infrastructures are slowly being assembled in Japan, Berlin, London and California, and how quickly those finish will play an important role in whether the technology gets adopted as quickly as hybrids did.
[Source: Autocar]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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They've barely cut the Mirai's umbilical cord and they're already planning more fuel-cell models? They ought to at least clean up the delivery room before thinking about birthing another alternative-fuel car.
My questions is: Why doest it have to look like it came out of a Transformers anus? Looks like mechanical poop!