Toyota has unveiled a prototype model of its HiAce van with a hydrogen-fuelled internal-combustion engine (ICE) in Australia.
The Japanese carmaker solely confirmed off this hydrogen HiAce prototype in 12-seat Commuter type, although Toyota confirmed the know-how may be utilized in a load-carrying HiAce van.
In contrast to the common HiAce offered in Australia, which is at the moment solely powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, this hydrogen prototype is powered by a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 engine modified to run on hydrogen as a substitute of petrol.
This engine is at the moment used with petrol within the Lexus LX 600 in Australia, in addition to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Collection in different markets.
Toyota claims the one of many few modifications made to the engine are the injectors, which permit it to run on compressed hydrogen fuel.
The hydrogen-fuelled V6 engine within the HiAce prototype produces 120kW of energy and 354Nm of torque. That is 185kW and 296Nm lower than its petrol-fuelled counterpart.
Drive is shipped to the rear wheels solely by a 10-speed computerized transmission.
The interior combustion engine is fed by three hydrogen gas tanks just like those used within the present Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell electrical car (FCEV). The Mirai has a hydrogen capability of 5.6kg.
Toyota claims the Hydrogen HiAce prototype has a variety of round 200km. For context, the Mirai has a NEDC claimed vary of 650km.
This theoretically means the Hydrogen HiAce prototype consumes thrice the quantity of hydrogen the Mirai does when driving.
Few different technical particulars are recognized concerning the Hydrogen HiAce prototype at this stage, although it does have a 1500kg towing capability and “minimal affect” on payload and inside area.
Toyota claims it’s already engaged on growing the scale of the hydrogen storage tanks and enhancing combustion, in addition to exploring the potential of including hybrid know-how.
This Hydrogen HiAce prototype marks the primary time Toyota has used hydrogen combustion know-how on an engine with greater than three cylinders.
The Japanese carmaker has been creating this know-how for motorsport with a modified GR Yaris 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine. It has additionally put this hydrogen-powered three-cylinder engine into an everyday Corolla Cross SUV.
Toyota claims the HiAce was chosen because the pilot car to check this new hydrogen-fuelled on account of two mains causes.
The industrial van gives the chance to suit the inner combustion engine up entrance and the three hydrogen gas tanks below the ground.
The Japanese carmaker additionally claims it’s the kind of car that’s used for “brief ‘again to base’ industrial operations”.
Seven examples of those hydrogen-powered HiAce prototypes might be out there to Australian fleet prospects later this month as a part of a pilot program.
The primary firm to check out the Hydrogen HiAce prototypes might be CPB Contractors, which is one in every of Australia’s main designers and builders of large-scale infrastructure.
CPB Contractors will use the Commuter model of the HiAce to move employees from round mission websites in Melbourne.
At this stage it’s unclear when Toyota intends to truly put a hydrogen-powered HiAce into manufacturing, although Yamagata-san stated “we’d like to supply this product as quickly as potential”.
Growth of the Hydrogen HiAce prototype was fast-tracked, based on Yamagata-san, with it taking round three years.
MORE: Every thing Toyota HiAce
