Toyota to develop hydrogen engine through racing

By CARSIFU | 22 April 2021


TOYOTA CITY: Toyota announced today that it is developing a hydrogen engine as part of its goal to acheive a carbon-neutral mobility society.

It has installed the prototype engine on a racing vehicle based on Toyota's Corolla Sport, which it will enter in competition under the ORC Toyota to develop hydrogen engine through racingOOKIE Racing banner starting with the Super Taikyu Series 2021 Powered by Hankook Round 3 NAPAC Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race on May 21-23.

Fuel cell electrified vehicles (FCEVs) such as Toyota's Mirai use a fuel cell in which hydrogen chemically reacts with oxygen in the air to produce electricity that powers an electric motor.

Meanwhile, hydrogen engines generate power through the combustion of hydrogen using fuel supply and injection systems that have been modified from those used with gasoline engines. Except for the combustion of minute amounts of engine oil during driving, which is also the case with gasoline engines, hydrogen engines emit zero CO2 when in use.


20210422_01_01_s

READ MORE:
Toyota Mirai sets Guinness World Records title with 1,359km zero emission journey
It’s too early to focus on electric cars only, says Toyota
Honda goes all in on electric cars in stark contrast to Toyota
German auto giants place their bets on hydrogen cars


Toyota's 1,618cc hydrogen engine is an in-line 3-cylinder turbocharged mill with an intercooler, with compressed hydrogen injected into the combustion chambers.

Combustion in hydrogen engines occurs at a faster rate than in gasoline engines, resulting in good responsiveness. While having excellent environmental performance, hydrogen engines also have the potential to relay the fun of driving, including through sounds and vibrations.

Toyota has long engaged in the innovation of engine technology. Also, it is applying in production vehicles the technologies that it has continued to refine through its participation in motorsports, with the GR Yaris launched last September being one example. And when it comes to safety, Toyota intends to apply the technologies and know-how that it has accumulated through the development of fuel cell vehicles and the commercialisation of the Mirai.

Plans are for the hydrogen-engine-powered race vehicle announced today to be fuelled during races using hydrogen produced at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture.


Keywords