Toyota's hydrogen combustion engine in concept phase
Toyota has been a leader in hybrid vehicles which leaded the way to the companies producing hybrids and full electric vehicles in the market today. However, Toyota today is going a different approach and introduces the world a hydrogen powered engine concept.
“People involved in the auto industry are largely a silent majority,” Toyoda said. “That silent majority is wondering whether EVs are really OK to have as a single option. But they think it’s the trend so they can’t speak out loudly. Because the right answer is still unclear, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to just one option.”
Although that sentiment is controversial, it merits consideration. According to automobile research firm J.D. Power, all-electrics amount to only a fraction of the total new car market.
the corolla cross h2 concept
The world’s first Hydrogen concept vehicle is introduced as Corolla Cross H2 concept.
Power comes from a turbocharged 3 cylinder, converting hydrogen as a fuel.
The engine itself gets hardened valves and valve seats, stronger connecting rods, and fuel injectors that are designed for a gas, not liquid.
The Cross H2 Concept has room for 5 passengers as well as their luggage. Besides the fact that hydrogen is the most abundant element in the entire universe, the benefits over EVs are higher range and faster refueling times, only 90 seconds.
There is also an obvious reduction in the use of limited-supply elements like lithium and nickel, which are required critical materials used in the cells of the battery packs of EV construction. The Corolla Cross H2 is currently undergoing real-world evaluation, with winter testing to begin soon in northern Japan.
Large v-8 is in the works
Toyota has also partnered with Yamaha Motor to develop a hydrogen-fueled V-8 engine.
Yamaha claims that it’ll produce 455 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 398 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. That’s a bit less power than the original gasoline V-8 that it’s based on, but still quite respectable.
However, most stunning feature of the hydrogen V-8 has to be the eight-into-one top-mounted exhaust manifold, which Yamaha claims creates a distinct high-frequency sound.
what is installed for us in the near future
So will hydrogen powered engines play a big role in the future? Or will EVs still be a popular choice.
As companies further invests in R&D, we hope to see new engines developed for consumers to choose from and also improve the greenhouse gases emissions from our roads today.
