Autoblog

Toyota aims for $50,000 hydrogen sedan by 2015

Eric Loveday — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:30:00 EST

Third-gen Toyota FCHV-adv - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota is undoubtedly known more for its hybrid vehicles than its hydrogen-powered cars, but that could tilt just a little if the company can make good on claims of a production-ready hydrogen sedan for around $50,000. According to Toyota, this price is achievable because costs have dropped tremendously on its fuel-cell technology, about 90 percent in the last five years alone. Toyota even states that its hydrogen sedan, slated for debut in 2015, would be profitable at the price listed above, but we have our doubts about that.

Doubts aside, here's the words of Toyota's managing director of advanced autos, Yoshihiko Masuda:

Our target is, we don't lose money with introduction of the vehicle. Production cost should be covered within the price of the vehicle.

Even if Toyota can be profitable at the $50,000 price, there are still other issues to be concerned with such as the fact that the Nissan Leaf will sell for half that amount and $50k is a heck of a lot of dough to spend on unproven technology. Even Toyota admits it's a little expensive as Masuda added that the hydrogen sedan is similar to a gasoline car but "with some extra cost." Will buyers be willing to foot this extra cost? We don't think so, but we should find out in a few years.

Gallery: Third-gen Toyota FCHV-adv

Photos by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Toyota aims for $50,000 hydrogen sedan by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 May 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese oil, gas companies to tackle hydrogen fueling infrastructure

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Electric

Toyota Highlander FCV - Click above for a high-res image gallery

A consortium of 13 Japanese oil and gas companies are collaborating in an effort to commercialize technologies enabling convenient refueling of hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2015. Coincidentally (or not), that date goes hand-in-hand with Toyota's target for selling hydrogen vehicles on the retail level.

According to the Nikkei in Japan (via Trading Markets), unnamed automakers are considering joining the group, which expects to start field-testing dozens of hydrogen refueling stations across Japan in short order. It's hoped that the oil companies can generate the hydrogen and the gas companies can use their existing pipelines and stations to transport it at a cost comparable to gasoline.

Considering that the great promise of hydrogen is its lack of tailpipe emissions, we can only hope the oil and gas companies find a way to generate the energy carrier in an environmentally friendly manner, even if it's not necessarily the most profitable solution. Sound likely?

Gallery: LA 2007: Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell

[Source: Trading Markets via Fuel Cell Today]

Japanese oil, gas companies to tackle hydrogen fueling infrastructure originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Malcolm Bricklin has hydrogen visions for displaced Chrysler and GM dealerships

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Chrysler, GM, Electric

Add serial entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin to the list of people interested in getting a crack at the 2,000 or so automotive dealerships that are scheduled to be shut down by either General Motors or Chrysler in short order. Unlike most other interested parties, though, Bricklin's plan would also include his Visionary Vehicles venture purchasing up to 300,000 new vehicles from the two beleaguered automakers, which would then be upgraded with luxurious interiors and *ahem* a hydrogen hybrid drivetrain. Presumably, they wouldn't be gullwinged 'safety' cars like his short-lived SV-1 1970's wedge (above).

We're not completely sure what Bricklin's proposed hydrogen hybrid powertrain would entail, but he tellingly says that everybody else says it's a scam. Yep, you guessed it: an onboard electrlyser would supposedly extract hydrogen from water. According to Bricklin, "I know I have a product that I can put on cars that will make them get 100 percent better mileage." We'll see how it all works out in about 90 days, which is when Bricklin says his first prototype will be ready.

"I really believe this is why I was put on this Earth," he said in a recent interview. "All those mistakes, and all those lessons, and all those experiences have led me to know exactly how to take advantage of this technology." We'll see.

[Source: Boston Herald]

Malcolm Bricklin has hydrogen visions for displaced Chrysler and GM dealerships originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wagoner to Obama: Automakers need research money from feds

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green, GM, Earnings/Financials

After being asked what the next President of the United States could do to help Detroit's automakers, Rick Wagoner, head honcho at General Motors, responded that his company could use an injection of cash for research and development into new, potentially green technology. Also mentioned were additional incentives for consumers to purchase those vehicles once the automakers actually produce them. Neither of these suggestions should be shocking to anybody paying attention to the Detroit 3's recent financial woes. Much of the admittedly meager R&D budget is already being spent on new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and electric drive systems, including the extremely important lithium ion battery.

Federal aid in the form consumer incentives would allow automakers to offer eco-friendly vehicles at potentially profitable prices while still being in the target range of many consumers. In the past, tax credits for hybrid vehicles have helped move that technology along when it was in its infancy. This latest meeting hosted by presidential hopeful Barrack Obama once again indicates how important the emerging green-auto sector and health of the Detroit auto industry in general will be in the coming election.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Wagoner to Obama: Automakers need research money from feds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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