Toyota gives backing to hydrogen-powered cars

Toyota said that it aimed to sell hydrogen-powered cars in the “tens of thousands” per year by 2020, implying a significant commitment to fuel cell technology by one of the industry’s top-selling car makers.

The Japanese producer said it planned to begin testing hydrogen-powered cars in Japan this year, followed by tests in the US andEurope. It will be launching commercial sales of a saloon-size fuel-cell car by 2015.

“The fuel cell has the potential to replace the cars we have today,” Takeshi Uchimayada, the Japanese producer’s head of research and development, said in a recent interview.

“By about 2020 when there really will be real penetration in the market, we are preparing to be able to sell tens of thousands of units per year.”

Toyota had previously spoken of launching a hydrogen car in 2015, but had not set numerical sales targets.

Because of its size, Toyota’s bets on alternative technologies carry significant weight.

The Japanese car giant was the industry’s first to invest heavily in hybrids such as the Prius, and while competitors only now are rolling off hybrid models, Toyota is already at its third generation of Hybrid vehicles with a Plug-In Prius also in the pipeline for launch later this year.

Hydrogen fuel-cell technology has been available for decades, but it is only seen as a viable solution over the long term because of the cost of setting up filling station infrastructure.

Toyota is pursuing hydrogen-powered cars alongside other alternative technologies. Uchimayada said thby 2020 Toyota was planning “full-fledged, real production” of hydrogen fuel-cell cars. “We will be producing it at our vehicle plants just as we are producing our other cars.”

Toyota’s research chief said the company had asked its Hino subsidiary to develop fuel-cell buses, and its Toyota industries division was developing hydrogen-powered forklift trucks. Aisin Seiki, an affiliate of Toyota Motor, is also developing fuel-cells.

Toyota showrooms are in Mdina Road, Żebbuġ.