The future under the Toyota brand. What awaits us in 10 years?

We've grown accustomed to the idea that internal combustion engines will soon have a viable alternative. But what will it be? Electromobile? Then where to get so much electricity? While the world is looking for answers to these questions, Toyota is actively working. Being one of the most innovative companies, it develops several promising directions at once that bring the future closer. And one of these directions is hydrogen.

In 2015, the company developed the Toyota Environmental Challenge strategy. By 2050, CO2 emissions should be significantly reduced and the view on the use of natural resources should be completely revised. This is a real challenge! The strategy includes solving environmental problems, developing the transport of the future and using alternative energy sources.

The environmental side of the issue

The whole world is facing the problem of global warming and climate change. All countries want to find a way to get off the oil-coal-gas needle. Toyota is betting on hydrogen energy and is actively developing fuel cell technology. The company is so serious about this direction that it even leads the world's Council on Hydrogen Technology. Until 2022, the Council plans to invest up to $10 billion in the development of gas station infrastructure. In Germany, for example, there are already 100 such stations, and 15 more will be added by 2021. And in October this year, the Japan Hydrogen Association was created in the homeland of the brand, which included nine largest national companies. It is also headed by Toyota. The purpose of the association is to create a full-fledged hydrogen infrastructure and promote new energy.

New vehicles

It turns out that hydrogen can also be used in cars! This is one of the areas of “green mobility” that the brand is developing. Toyota holds a leading position in the world in terms of production of vehicles with alternative power sources. The company manufactures hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. Target: 5.5 million electric vehicles by 2025.

Toyota developed the first hybrid in 1997. It was the famous Prius. More than 13 million pieces have now been produced. And in 2013, the company showed a fuel cell car – Toyota Mirai. This is a representative of the cleanest energy, because it has no exhaust, and the water it produces is drinkable.

Why hydrogen?

All “electrified” cars need a lot of power, and more will be needed as the fleet grows. Basically, it is still produced by burning hydrocarbons. This is a very dirty way. And even if the car does not have the usual exhaust pipe, it just has it in a different place.

Hydrogen is an affordable energy carrier with unique characteristics. It can be extracted from water, and it just needs a little electricity. Wind turbines are sufficient. But the electricity obtained with the help of fuel cells is enough not only for a car. Toyota Mirai has a special connector through which you can power, for example, a country house, if some fallen tree cuts off the electricity. So a diesel generator can also be sent to the dustbin of history.

Would you like to try?

Are you ready to try hydrogen fueling your car? Ride absolutely silently and even over long distances? After all, the Mirai's mileage on one gas station with hydrogen is 650 kilometers. What do you think about it? Write in the comments!