Honda, Toyota launch new fuel-cell cars
18 Nov 2014
Japanese rivals Honda and Toyota have oth unveiled new fuel-cell cars within hours of each other, with Toyota showcasing its Mirai, a production-ready vehicle, while the Honda FCV previewed a forthcoming production car.
Both cars are powered by fuel cells that burn hydrogen gas, which according to Toyota boss Akio Toyoda could be created from anything, ''even garbage'' and emitted only water.
The four-seat Mirai saloon, previously seen at motor shows in concept form as the Toyota FCV, is being unveiled in Japan and is due to go on sale in the country in April. European and US sales would follow in the summer.
Toyoda said the Mirai's fuel cell is capable of generating enough electricity to power a house for a week. A tank of hydrogen gets the car around 300 miles and refilling takes five minutes.
He added that he knew the Mirai would have to be a car that appealed to drivers. He said, as a test driver, he knew this new fuel-cell vehicle had to be truly fun to drive. It had a low centre of gravity, which gave it very dynamic handling, he said.
The Mirai was expected to sell for the equivalent of £43,500 in Japan, European prices were yet to be decided and would be influenced by the availability or otherwise of government grants to buyers.
According to Toyota Motor, it had chosen the name ''Mirai,'' which meant ''future'' in Japanese, Bloomberg reported.
According to Jeff Liker, a University of Michigan engineering professor, the announcement on the eve of the Los Angeles auto show, increased the company's commitment to fuel cells, as opposed to battery-only cars, as long-term alternatives to internal combustion engines. The company also promised to develop and supply fuelling stations in northeastern US states.
Liker predicted Toyota's fuel-cell commitment would be significant as those that came in 1989, when the company introduced its Lexus luxury brand in the US, and in 1997, when it started selling Prius gasoline-electric hybrids. Lexus led the US market in luxury sales for 11 years, and Prius was by far the top-selling hybrid line, now with four models.
He added Toyota had mostly been a fast-follower, not a leader. However, when it came to the environment, they were seeking to play an aggressive leadership role.
Many battery-only cars in the US can travel less than 100 miles on a full charge, and charging could take hours.
