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Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Automotive Operations, Toyota Motor Sales, debuted Toyota’s revolutionary Fuel Cell Technology (FCT) at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Check out the Q&A below for everything you need to know about this major automotive advance — and how it is set to change the future, starting with Toyota dealers in California.
Q: What is Fuel Cell Technology (FCT)?
A: According to Merriam-Webster, a fuel cell is “a device that continuously changes the chemical energy of a fuel (as hydrogen) and an oxidant directly into electrical energy.” This simple chemical reaction generates only one emission: water vapor. Another plus that Carter cites is “Hydrogen is plentiful and there are many ways to produce it; many of them, sustainable.”
Q: Will this new technology be affordable?
A: Short answer, yes. Over the last 20 years, Toyota has striven to decrease the cost of this technology and, “since 2002, we’ve been testing and developing a series of fuel cell vehicles in North America.” Most notably, Carter estimates “a 95% cost reduction” in what it cost to build the original prototype in 2002.
Q: What is Fuel Cell Technology (FCT)?
A: According to Merriam-Webster, a fuel cell is “a device that continuously changes the chemical energy of a fuel (as hydrogen) and an oxidant directly into electrical energy.” This simple chemical reaction generates only one emission: water vapor. Another plus that Carter cites is “Hydrogen is plentiful and there are many ways to produce it; many of them, sustainable.”
Q: Will this new technology be affordable?
A: Short answer, yes. Over the last 20 years, Toyota has striven to decrease the cost of this technology and, “since 2002, we’ve been testing and developing a series of fuel cell vehicles in North America.” Most notably, Carter estimates “a 95% cost reduction” in what it cost to build the original prototype in 2002.
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Q: What about convenience?
A: According to Carter, “There’s no doubt that the success of this technology will depend less on the genius of the car than on the ownership experience.” With stats like a 300-mile driving range, 10-second zero-to-sixty acceleration and 3-5 minute refueling, it’s evident that the creators were dedicated to matching or surpassing the convenience of gas-powered cars. They successfully tested the prototype in extreme cold and heat. In other words, from a user-standpoint, this is a normal car.
Q: Where will FCT-powered cars come to market?
A: The mid-size four-door sedan that was debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show last November is slated to hit California car dealerships in 2015.
Q: How is California preparing for this major change?
A: With the “Car of the Future” coming soon to Toyota car dealerships, California is working to create an infrastructure to support this technology advance.
A: According to Carter, “There’s no doubt that the success of this technology will depend less on the genius of the car than on the ownership experience.” With stats like a 300-mile driving range, 10-second zero-to-sixty acceleration and 3-5 minute refueling, it’s evident that the creators were dedicated to matching or surpassing the convenience of gas-powered cars. They successfully tested the prototype in extreme cold and heat. In other words, from a user-standpoint, this is a normal car.
Q: Where will FCT-powered cars come to market?
A: The mid-size four-door sedan that was debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show last November is slated to hit California car dealerships in 2015.
Q: How is California preparing for this major change?
A: With the “Car of the Future” coming soon to Toyota car dealerships, California is working to create an infrastructure to support this technology advance.
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Although Carter is optimistic, he acknowledges that major work is required to make this technology feasible for everyday use. As of right now, California is only home to 10 or so hydrogen stations. Thankfully, the state’s government sees the value of this project and has slated upwards of $200 million dollars toward the construction of new fuel cell stations. If all goes according to plan, the state should have 40 hydrogen stations in 2016 and up to 100 by the project’s end.
But the issue is really about location, location, location. Toyota and the University of California Irvine’s Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) are teaming together to pick potential sites for hydrogen fueling stations. With an eye fixed on user experience, their map assumes that the car owners will need to be able to find a fueling station within 6 minutes. According to their initial plan, Carter believes that only “68 station sites in the San Francisco Bay area and Silicon Valley, as well as Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties” will be required. The APEP believes their plan could support about 10,000 vehicles.
By. North Hollywood Toyota New Certified Used Toyota Car Los Angeles
But the issue is really about location, location, location. Toyota and the University of California Irvine’s Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) are teaming together to pick potential sites for hydrogen fueling stations. With an eye fixed on user experience, their map assumes that the car owners will need to be able to find a fueling station within 6 minutes. According to their initial plan, Carter believes that only “68 station sites in the San Francisco Bay area and Silicon Valley, as well as Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties” will be required. The APEP believes their plan could support about 10,000 vehicles.
By. North Hollywood Toyota New Certified Used Toyota Car Los Angeles
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