Toyota to demonstrate portable hydrogen cartridges

Toyota have announced that they will use the Japan Mobility Show Bizweek exhibition later this month to launch a portable hydrogen cartridge, which they hope will offer a range of uses, not least to boost the viability of hydrogen cars.

The Mobility Show considers itself an event where the mobility industry and startups that will lead the next generation interact to co-create toward the shared goal of a sustainable future.

Toyota have been determined in their ambition to put hydrogen powered cars on the road but the stumbling block has always been infrastructure.

To all intents and purposes, hydrogen is a superior powertrain to electric, offering much better refueling times and greater range. The problem, of course, is finding the fuel.

Whereas the number of EV changepoints in the UK has been steadily rising, the number of hydrogen filling stations has actually fallen. From 10, two years ago to seven today. And two of those are in Aberdeen.

Thus, Toyota have seen the future of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles lying in reducing the size and weight of the hydrogen tanks, which were previously large and difficult to carry, to a size that can be carried by hand.

The company see the portable hydrogen cartridge as something that can make hydrogen a familiar and safe energy source that can be used in a variety of everyday situations.

To that end, Toyota have also been working with Rinnai Corporation to incorporate the cartridges into cooking equipment, either with the hydrogen cartridges used to generate electricity or for cooking by combusting the gas.

Images on the Toyota website suggest that they see the cartridges being delivered to customers along with their food (see below)

Toyota’s statement reads: ‘Toyota is working on research and development toward realizing a carbon-neutral society based on a multi-pathway approach with diverse viable energy options. Hydrogen is the ultimate clean energy that emits no CO2 during use, and CO2 emissions can also be minimized during the production process when renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are used. Hydrogen can be used to generate electricity in fuel cell systems and can also be used as a combustion fuel.’