TOYOTA PLANS TO release a emission-free car that runs on hydrogen fuel-cells next year.
The FCV concept, which is expected to launch in 2015, is said to deliver a driving range of 482 kms, and can reach a top speed of 160 kph.
As the car uses hydrogen fuel-cells, it only produces water vapour.
Unveiling the concept car at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the company said that refuelling the car will take between three to five minutes.
The vehicle will be launched initially in California, where Toyota has been working with the University of California to map out potential locations for hydrogen fuelling stations.
Toyota’s senior vice president of sales, Bob Carter, called it the “car of the future” and said that cost and an infrastructure for refuelling will determine its success.
The first is building the vehicle at a reasonable price for many people. The second is doing what we can to help kick-start the construction of convenient hydrogen refueling infrastructure. We’re doing a good job with both and we will launch in 2015.
California has approved more than $200 million in funding to help build refuelling stations across the state, starting off with 20 new stations for next year.
It’s estimated that the vehicle will cost between $50,000 to $100,000 when it goes on sale.
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