Toyota Expands Hydrogen Vehicle Lineup

 New Hydrogen Pickup & SUV Are Being Developed

                                            Source:  Toyota

Zero Emissions World

Japanese automaker Toyota is placing big bets on hydrogen as a very promising alternative to battery electric vehicles in the new world of zero emissions driving.  The company is developing both a hydrogen powered pickup truck and a hydrogen powered SUV.  Toyota is clearly building a hydrogen vehicle portfolio.  It is also currently testing hydrogen powered semi-trucks in California and also is selling its Mirai hydrogen car in California, which is at the forefront of the number of hydrogen filling stations in the United States.

Tech Specs

The new hydrogen pickup is being developed at Toyota's UK operations. Toyota is working with a consortium of British companies and has secured funding for the project from the British government. The team is using a Toyota Hilux pickup, which is not sold in the US, and has embedded the Mirai's 182 hp powertrain into it.  The fuel cell is under the hood and three hydrogen tanks are located under the cabin.  The vehicle has a single electric motor that powers the rear wheels. 

Hydrogen SUV

Toyota is also testing a hydrogen subcompact SUV that it is developing.  The company has converted the 268 hp 1.6-liter, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine from a GR Corolla sports car and added high pressure hydrogen injectors to the engine.  This new system has been put into a Corolla Cross subcompact SUV.  Toyota says the car gets as much power from the hydrogen system as it does when it's running on gas.  

New Breakthrough Technologies

Toyota says that it has developed technology that enables a hydrogen tank fill-up on a vehicle like the SUV and pickup in one minute and thirty seconds (1:30).  Separately, it is also partnering with Yamaha on what could be a new breakthrough engine.  It's a hydrogen-burning 5.0-liter V8 engine that could be used to power full-size trucks and sports cars.  These new developments at Toyota are designed to usher in a new era of hydrogen powered driving.  A number of other automakers are also working on new hydrogen technologies including Volvo, Daimler and Hyundai.