Perhaps Toyota was right all along and hydrogen is the future and not EVs
Toyota is set to showcase a range of sustainable innovations at the upcoming Japan Mobility Bizweek, highlighting its vision for a future centred around portable hydrogen cartridges. These cartridges are designed to provide “swappable” power for next-generation hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), offering a novel alternative to conventional refuelling methods.
Originally developed by Toyota’s mobility technology subsidiary, Woven, the concept has evolved significantly since the team produced a working prototype in 2022. The latest hydrogen cartridges are lighter and more transportable, reflecting advancements made in reducing the size and weight of hydrogen tanks used in Toyota’s FCEVs.
Moreover, the design allows these cartridges to be compact enough to be carried by hand, resembling oversized AA batteries strapped to a specially designed backpack. The primary benefit of this system is the convenience it offers FCEV drivers: instead of refuelling at hydrogen stations, they can simply swap out depleted cartridges for fresh ones.
Toyota envisions these refillable cartridges being versatile enough to generate electricity in homes or to be used in cooking appliances, as demonstrated by a collaboration with Rinnai Corporation, which features a hydrogen-powered stove at the event.
Additionally, in emergency situations, drivers could remove the cartridge from their vehicle to power devices during blackouts. While still in the conceptual phase, Toyota believes these portable hydrogen cartridges could provide a more affordable and practical solution for hydrogen delivery, eliminating the need for extensive pipeline networks.
On top of that, this aligns with advancements in battery technology, which have led to more energy-dense systems that can utilise smaller hydrogen tanks, enhancing the range of zero-emission vehicles without long charging delays. The potential applications of portable hydrogen cartridges extend beyond automobiles as they could power smaller vehicles like motorcycles and even home appliances.
Toyota envisions a system where fresh hydrogen cartridges are delivered alongside groceries, with used cartridges collected for refilling. To realise this vision, the company is actively seeking collaborations with startups and other companies focused on service provision and the development of related technologies.
Well, now it seems that while EV owners have to deal with long hours to charge their vehicles, Toyota did exactly what it said it would do years ago when it was ridiculed for refusing to adopt electric mobility and work on hydrogen instead. Who’s laughing now? We got all this from Techradar and their full article is linked here. Thank you Techradar for the information and images.
