Toyota FCEV roadshow hits Aussie roads

TOYOTA has hit the road to showcase the variety of potential applications for its hydrogen fuel-cell technology across a range of industries, large and small.

The national roadshow will incorporate several hydrogen products, including a FCEV-converted HiAce food truck dubbed the FCV Express Diner, a 33-seat bus, a hydrogen-powered forklift, stationary power generator, and the well-known Mirai sedan.

Toyota says its FCV Express Diner was conceived to demonstrate how hydrogen fuel technology can serve not only the transportation industry, but also in offering an alternative fuel source to power a mobile kitchen, potentially for use in disaster relief scenarios.

The vehicle is powered by the same powertrain found in Toyota’s second-generation Mirai sedan, its two tanks of hydrogen fuel (5kg) providing enough range to drive the HiAce FCEV approximately 400km.

At the rear, the Toyota HiAce FCV Diner has been equipped with a mobile kitchen that features five induction cooktops, an oven, a rice cooker, fridge, freezer and three sinks with hot and cold running water – all powered by the onboard fuel-cell.

The vehicle also offers V2L (vehicle-to-load) capabilities to provide electricity for other external power requirements.

Toyota will also display a hydrogen-powered bus that is currently available to market in Europe and the UK. The H2 City Gold bus was developed in partnership with Portuguese manufacturer CaetanoBus and uses fuel cell technology that is once more familiar to the Toyota Mirai.

The bus stores 37.5kg of hydrogen across five tanks and offers a driving range of approximately 450km and a combined output of 180kW/2500Nm.

A fuel-cell powered forklift will also be on display, demonstrating what Toyota says is “great potential for logistics and warehouse operators”. The production model is already available for sale in Japan and is being trialled in Toyota Australia parts warehouses in Melbourne and Sydney.

It will feature alongside Toyota’s French-made EODev stationary fuel cell power generator and Mirai hydrogen-powered sedan.

“At Toyota, we believe in a diverse approach towards a carbon-neutral future, and we’re committed to hydrogen fuel-cell technology playing a part in that approach,” said Toyota Australia chief marketing officer, Vin Naidoo.

“The Hydrogen Showcase offers a look at some of the exciting existing vehicles and technologies powered by Toyota hydrogen fuel-cell stacks using powertrains whose only tailpipe emission is water, as well as educating and informing on how this technology can benefit society.”

Toyota’s Hydrogen Showcase began in Melbourne on April 26, and will travel to Brisbane (May 4-5), Sydney (May 15-16), Canberra (May 23), Adelaide (June 1-2) and Perth (June 13-14).