Toyota has launched the newest addition to its eco-conscious fleet, the hydrogen powered 2015 FCV.
The new fuel cell vehicle (FCV) was presented in California and is the result of seven years of Toyota, refining the technology and reducing manufacturing costs. The Japanese carmaker already has several eco-friendly models in its range, but these were only available in a limited range and markets.
“We aren’t quite ready to show off the interior yet, but it’s safe to say that it’ll be very spacious with ample room,” says Jana Hartline, Toyota’s environmental communications manager.” on the new sedan design.
Other carmakers, including Mercedes-Benz and General Motors, also have small fleets of FCVs on the roads.
Toyota’s engineers also say they have made significant improvements to the fuel cell system since the vehicle first debuted in 2002 – claiming that the FCV sedan offers performance similar to a petrol engine vehicle. It’s estimated to be able to do around 435 miles, based on Japan’s JC08 test cycle, and refuelling time is roughly three minutes.
The Toyota FCV sedan is schedules for April 2015 in Japan, with U.S. and European deliveries to follow that summer. The car will market for ¥7m (c. £39,000) in Japan, but Toyota claims that various subsidies and economic measure for carbon offsetting means that each country’s pricing will vary greatly.
