Following the FCEV garbage truck unveiled at Super Taikyu Round 4 in July, the season's fifth race featured an FCEV road service vehicle. As new trials continue to kick off, what is behind these efforts to create a hydrogen society?
Expanding hydrogen use around the world
In his responses to journalists, Nakajima spoke of Toyota’s determination and dedication as a Japanese manufacturer.
Vice President Nakajima
The vast overseas markets with large sales potential require a locally integrated approach, bringing together everything from development to production and servicing for local consumption.
As a Japanese company, we will instead seek to develop new technologies in Japan for distribution to other markets.
Even if it doesn’t result in high volumes, we want to export the knowledge gained from our trials to other countries.
The hydrogen road service vehicle and Super Taikyu
Chief Engineer Hirofumi Ota of the CV Company, which handles Toyota’s commercial vehicles, explained the reasons for revealing the road service vehicle at this Super Taikyu event.
Ota, CV Company
To be frank, this is still an experimental vehicle. We will continue to develop it fully, figuring out what technology is needed and how it should be used by JAF and others.
There are two reasons for doing this at Super Taikyu.
At the front of the cargo bed sit four light Mirai hydrogen tanks, part of our efforts in transporting hydrogen.
The top box is fitted with a safety control mechanism, which is just about ready for commercial release.
This box has a dry-cell-like structure that facilitates hydrogen delivery.
We loaded these onto the truck and, working with JAF, built a configuration that allows the hydrogen to be easily transported in packs (as modules).
In terms of using hydrogen, we saw Super Taikyu as an opportunity to address potential concerns and create an environment that facilitates energy use by simplifying transportation.
The vehicle carries modules that integrate multiple resin hydrogen tanks, used in the Mirai with a high degree of safety, with various safety devices to monitor operating conditions automatically.
With their large capacity, these modules make storing and transporting hydrogen safer and more efficient. As such, they were developed with the aim of boosting hydrogen energy use in seaports, mountainous regions, and other areas where refueling is difficult.
