Hydrogen car debuts

Toyota has unveiled its concept hydrogen fuel-cell car to be launched in 2015, with the FCV concept being one of several vehicles with alternative powertrains to take the spotlight at the Tokyo Motor Show. The marque has provided no estimates of sales for its fuel-cell car, although numbers are likely to be modest to start and concentrated in places such California and Scandinavia where emissions targets are strictest. Toyota, while embracing hybrid powertrains, has favoured fuel-cell technology over fully electric cars, saying the experience of driving them is more like what consumers are used to with petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. The company says the FCV will be able to cover about 500km on a single hydrogen fill-up that takes just a few minutes. Fully electric vehicles require longer recharging time. It hasn’t announced a price, but says the car would be aimed at a niche of environmentally conscious, early adopting and relatively affluent customers – much like Toyota’s pioneering hybrid, the Prius. Honda and Hyundai have also displayed new fuel-cell vehicles at a preview for the car show in Los Angeles. In July, Honda and General Motors agreed to share fuel-cell technology.