According to Toyota, they have been working on the fuel cell technology for more than 20 years. Of course, the interim success with three generations of hybrid technology, is a big help. The battery, which they themselves developed, is also important for vehicles using fuel cells. Although it's not as big as that in the plug-in hybrid, because the current supply for the fuel cell is not always the same as that which is required at any given moment.

Certainly, one could also use the electric-drive, then however, one would have to drop the combustion engine once and for all. The high-pressure Hydrogen tanks, would of course, have to be reconstructed, indeed, one profits a little from the natural gas engines, with however, considerably higher pressures. Apparently, this vehicle will be fitted with special sensors, which give a timely warning or switch off, so that this car is just as safe as one with a petrol driven engine.

This is also valid for the distance range and for the time taken for the refueling. The fuel cell mounted in the centre of the vehicle (see video), would also be smaller and more efficient. Restrictions which apply because of minus temperatures, would no longer exist. Of course, the development of a comprehensive infrastructure for Hydrogen is a problem. Experts are speaking of costs of one billion Euro, just to cover Germany.

In 2002, Toyota had already gathered experience through the leasing of this type of vehicle in Japan and in the USA. At that time, the space needed to install them was so big, that they had to be built into SUVs. At least nowadays, 4 people and their luggage should be able to be transported in a futuristically styled saloon car. The extra cost of € 50.000 net in the beginning, would however, double the price of a purely electrically driven car.

Fueled with pure, environmentally friendly Hydrogen, we would then be dealing with a car, which as far as the engine is concerned, has no emission at all. All that comes out of the still present exhaust-pipe, is steam. Apart from this aspect, Hydrogen of course, has the advantage, of being able to be produced if ecological power is created, for which there is no momentary use. Since as far as efficiency is concerned, this chain of aggregate value, is not really attractive.

Straightaway, demands are also being made for such a car from the German manufacturers. However, those making the demands are overlooking the fact that immense investments would have to be made to establish a Hydrogen filling station network. Japan is made up of several islands. In comparison with the continental situation, it would easier to set up a network. Apart from that, their economy is moving in the direction of a recession. A project like this would of course, be a big help.

Although it is not known exactly how much money Toyota has in its coffers, but what they've got, they're keeping, because the government is stepping in to take care of the filling station network. They, on the other hand, are even more deeply in debt than certain European countries. They have just recently put the brakes on and increased the taxes. What a decision, to pump money into a Hydrogen network, which according to the experts will cost about five times the amount that a customary filling station network would.

They should rather use the money, to break away from their nuclear power stations. After all, even if it would function at home, there are not enough possibilities to fill up in foreign countries. After all, who is willing to drive long distances just to fill up? The introduction of Hydrogen technology cannot be compared with that of the hybrid advancement. Perhaps the whole thing is simply a big hype, influenced by the fact that Japan will be hosting the Olympic games in 2020. 11/14