Toyota to show three new concepts in Tokyo, will offer fuel-cell sedan in 2015

Toyota’s display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show will feature several concept cars to highlight its brand, aiming “to make fresh proposals concerning the dream and joy of motor vehicles under the concept ‘Fun to Drive, Again.’”

The first concept is the new Toyota Fun-Vii – study that “heralds a future where people, cars and society are linked.” Not many details are provided on the Fun-Vii but the concept studies how people, cars, and society will connect to each other.

The second concept is the FCV-R, a sedan fuel-cell sedan fueled by hydrogen. “With the fuel-cell unit located beneath the specially designed body, the vehicle can accommodate up to four passengers and boasts impressive luggage space,” Toyota said in a statement. “The fuel cell stack, consisting of a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, has been improved to provide a cruising distance of approximately 700 km or more (under the JC08 test cycle; according to TMC).”

Toyota plans on producing the FCV-R in 2015.

Last but not lease will be the FT-EV III electric concept. The fully-electric concept is equipped with lithium-ion batteries and has an estimated range of 65 miles. Toyota plans on producing the model as early as next year.

- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/11/15/toyota-fcv-r-fun-vii-ft-ev-iii-concept-debut-tokyo/#more-105607

Honda: Fuel cells offer "the ultimate zero-emission car"

Honda is not yet ready to concede victory in the eco-friendly automobile wars to the battery electric car. Instead, Honda will continue developing its hydrogen fuel cell technology. Says Takashi Moriya, head of Honda's fuel cell operations, "Fuel-cell cars will become necessary. We're positioning it as the ultimate zero-emission car.

"While Honda is the only automaker in the States that's actually put hydrogen-powered vehicles in the hands of paying consumers (GM's Project Driveway loaned citizens a fuel cell vehicle for free for a short while), it's clear that the Japanese automaker isn't making any money on the FCX Clarity now and likely won't any time soon. Fuel cells are expensive pieces of technology, partly due to their high concentration of precious metals like platinum.

Despite the shortcomings of current hydrogen technology – which, in addition to the aforementioned high price of the vehicle itself, include difficulties in capturing the gas in an environmentally-friendly manner, storing and transporting the gas and an inadequate infrastructure – Honda believes its investment will one day pay off. In fact, Honda says it plans to have hydrogen-powered cars on the market by 2020 at costs comparable to cars running on gasoline. Toyota has said it's hydrogen car, due in 2015, will be priced "shockingly low."

Source;
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/12/honda-fuel-cells-offer-the-ultimate-zero-emission-car/