Toyota applies long range fuel cell tech to its latest minivan concept

David Lumb From engadget

Travel in comfort for 620 miles on a full tank.

Toyota’s next concept car, which it’s debuting at the Tokyo Motor Show next week, isn’t yet another electric vehicle. The ‘Fine-Comfort Ride’ runs on hydrogen fuel cells (remember those?) with an intended range of 1,000 km (620 miles) per charge, and can be refuelled in about three minutes. While it looks like a futuristic minivan, the vehicle is geared for internal comfort and entertainment while emitting no carbon dioxide or similar pollutants.

In a press release, Toyota described the Fine-Comfort Ride as a ‘premium saloon,’ which really fits the lounge-look of its interior. The seating is adjustable, enabling owners to shift it around and make it a group space for meetings. A virtual “Agent” turns the driver’s and passenger’s windows into screens.

Hyundai might have pivoted to abandon fuel cells for the more in-vogue EV, but several other automakers are still developing the former. Mercedes-Benz has a hybrid of both technologies aimed for consumer release in 2019, while Chevy is developing a fuel cell vehicle for the US Army’s transport fleet. Toyota’s own fuel cell big rigs have exited the testing phase and are set to cruise up and down Los Angeles’ port highways next week. EVs might have a lead on saturating the mainstream, but fuel cell vehicles are still in the race.

IMAGES:
Toyota
View image on Twitter
What’s gleaming from “beyond the motor?” Learn more here. http://toyota.eng.mg/a050f

For more on this story go to: https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/18/toyota-applies-long-range-fuel-cell-tech-to-its-latest-minivan-c/