Toyota and Linde are making moves on hydrogen fuel

August 6, 2014 0 By John Max

Toyota is beginning to market its new fuel cell vehicle ahead of 2015 launch

Toyota is preparing to launch its first fuel cell vehicle in 2015, and this means that the Japanese automakers is beginning to take steps to market its new vehicle. The automaker has high hopes for hydrogen fuel cells and how they can be used to usher in a new era of clean transportation, but there are many things hindering the commercialization of these vehicles. In order to overcome these challenges, Toyota will have to work alongside other companies, like chemical producer Linde.

Japanese automaker manages to cut the cost of its fuel cells by 90%

The automaker has announced that it has cut the cost of its fuel cells by 90%, which should make its future vehicles significantly more financially attractive to consumers. Toyota has accomplished this through the use of inexpensive materials, the use of which has not hindered the energy production of the company’s fuel cells. While less expensive fuel cells may be a victory for clean transportation, there is still the issue of the lack of a fuel infrastructure that needs to be addressed.

Linde to begin production on its fueling technologies

toyota - hydrogen fuel plansLinde has recently announced that it will begin small-scale production on its hydrogen fueling technologies. These technologies are used in fuel stations that are meant to service fuel cell vehicles. Linde has played a major role in the development of a working hydrogen fuel infrastructure in many parts of the world. The beginning of small-scale production of the company’s fueling technologies and systems is likely to expedite the formation of a working fuel infrastructure in many of the auto industry’s favored markets.

Hydrogen storage remains a problematic issue that has yet to be solved

Cost and infrastructure support are two of the major challenges facing fuel cell vehicles currently. The effective storage of hydrogen is also a significant challenge that has yet to be addressed adequately. While the fuel tanks used for fuel cell vehicles are durable enough to contain hydrogen safely, modern storage solutions are both inefficient and energy intensive to make use of. Without better storage solutions, the viability of fuel cell vehicles may be short lived.

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