If you don't like your hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to look like crazy spaceships from the future, the Toyota FCV Plus is decidely not for you. Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show this week, this latest entry into the H2 vehicle game puts the driver (or passenger, as there's got to be a note somewhere that this thing is driven by a robot brain, right? I mean, where's the steering wheel?) into her own little blue carriage. There are seats for more than one person - we counted four - but the way the car was displayed at Big Sight highlighted how a single person could seem to float from place to place in this wacky little monster.
There are a few powertrain details - four in-wheel motors, a fuel cell stack up front with a hydrogen tank behind the rear seats - but the FCV Plus is much more about Toyota's vision of a hydrogen society than it is about the actual car. That means a "a sustainable society in which hydrogen energy is in widespread use" and where "clean generation of hydrogen from a wide range of primary energy sources will make local, self-sufficient power generation a global reality."
Once you have these pieces in place, the many hydrogen cars will, "take on a new role as power sources within their communities," says Toyota. That, in turn, gives an, "all-new sense of purpose to the automobile." Or something. It's also positively wacky.
There are a few powertrain details - four in-wheel motors, a fuel cell stack up front with a hydrogen tank behind the rear seats - but the FCV Plus is much more about Toyota's vision of a hydrogen society than it is about the actual car. That means a "a sustainable society in which hydrogen energy is in widespread use" and where "clean generation of hydrogen from a wide range of primary energy sources will make local, self-sufficient power generation a global reality."
Once you have these pieces in place, the many hydrogen cars will, "take on a new role as power sources within their communities," says Toyota. That, in turn, gives an, "all-new sense of purpose to the automobile." Or something. It's also positively wacky.
Toyota FCV Plus (world premiere)
Compressed hydrogen has a higher energy density than electricity, can be generated from a wide range of raw materials, and is easy to store, making it a promising future energy source. That's why Toyota envisages a sustainable society in which hydrogen energy is in widespread use―a society embodied by this concept vehicle.
Clean generation of hydrogen from a wide range of primary energy sources will make local, self-sufficient power generation a global reality, and fuel cell vehicles will take on a new role as power sources within their communities. Toyota's aim is to add an all-new sense of purpose to the automobile by turning fuel cell vehicles from eco-cars into energy-cars.
Generating electricity
In addition to the vehicle's own hydrogen tank, the car can also generate electricity directly from hydrogen stored outside the vehicle. The vehicle can thus be transformed into a stable source of electric power for use at home or away.
Sharing generated power with others
When the car is not being used as a means of transport, it shares its power generation capabilities with communities as part of the local infrastructure.
Supporting future generations
The car's fuel cell stack can be reused as an electricity generating device, transcending the traditional functions of cars. Put to versatile uses around the world, these stacks could contribute significantly to local communities.
The fuel cell stack is mounted between the front tires, and the hydrogen tank behind the rear seat. Together with the adoption of independent in-wheel motors in all four wheels, this allows for a spacious cabin despite the vehicle's compact vehicle body. By concentrating functional parts at the front and the rear of the vehicle, this next-generation fuel cell vehicle package creates an optimal weight balance and a wide field of vision.
The exterior adopts a distinctive, sleek shape, while the frame structure of the interior ensures rigidity despite the light weight of the car. Altogether, the design conveys the vehicle's advanced technology and outstanding environmental performance.
Compressed hydrogen has a higher energy density than electricity, can be generated from a wide range of raw materials, and is easy to store, making it a promising future energy source. That's why Toyota envisages a sustainable society in which hydrogen energy is in widespread use―a society embodied by this concept vehicle.
Clean generation of hydrogen from a wide range of primary energy sources will make local, self-sufficient power generation a global reality, and fuel cell vehicles will take on a new role as power sources within their communities. Toyota's aim is to add an all-new sense of purpose to the automobile by turning fuel cell vehicles from eco-cars into energy-cars.
Generating electricity
In addition to the vehicle's own hydrogen tank, the car can also generate electricity directly from hydrogen stored outside the vehicle. The vehicle can thus be transformed into a stable source of electric power for use at home or away.
Sharing generated power with others
When the car is not being used as a means of transport, it shares its power generation capabilities with communities as part of the local infrastructure.
Supporting future generations
The car's fuel cell stack can be reused as an electricity generating device, transcending the traditional functions of cars. Put to versatile uses around the world, these stacks could contribute significantly to local communities.
The fuel cell stack is mounted between the front tires, and the hydrogen tank behind the rear seat. Together with the adoption of independent in-wheel motors in all four wheels, this allows for a spacious cabin despite the vehicle's compact vehicle body. By concentrating functional parts at the front and the rear of the vehicle, this next-generation fuel cell vehicle package creates an optimal weight balance and a wide field of vision.
The exterior adopts a distinctive, sleek shape, while the frame structure of the interior ensures rigidity despite the light weight of the car. Altogether, the design conveys the vehicle's advanced technology and outstanding environmental performance.
| Vehicle name | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota FCV Plus | 3,800 mm | 1,750 mm | 1,540 mm | 3,000 mm |
Toyota Information
Featured Gallery Toyota FCV Plus: Tokyo 2015
View 18 Photos
Sign in to post
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Continue