Toyota has developed a new long-range electric vehicle powered entirely by a cutting-edge fuel cell. The japanese giant has announced that it will be available for purchase starting in 2015. This makes Toyota’s project both revolutionary and sobering because it marks a turn away from the purely battery-driven electric car, which is being developed by almost every other automaker in the world. Company officials note that about 500 Toyota engineers are working on fuel-cell technology, which, even for a major corporation, is a considerable number. This suggests the fuel-cell technology is Toyota’s top R&D priority.
No one can predict whether the fuel cell car will ultimately be the key to our automotive future, but the competition is certainly impressed by Toyota’s dedication: Daimler has entered into an R&D alliance with Ford and Nissan, envisioning a market introduction of new cars powered by fuel-cells in 2017. Also in the running are getting ready two main manufacturers’ alliances: General Motors + Honda+ Hyundai, and another alliance between Volkswagen and the Canadian fuel cell producer Ballard this year, so as not to be caught unawares in case the technology takes off.
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