Toyota has announced that it will finally reveal the production version of its fuel cell car on November 18.
The automaker first announced the project back in June 2009, saying that it would start production of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle sometime in 2015. In November 2010, Toyota said it was still on track to release its hydrogen fuel cell model, which could be called the Mirai, and confirmed it would be launched in Japan, Europe and in the United States, according to USA Today.
"We aren't trying to re-invent the wheel; just everything necessary to make them turn," said Bob Carter, senior vice president of automotive operations for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. Inc., in a company press statement. "Fuel cell electric vehicles will be in our future sooner than many people believe, and in much greater numbers than anyone expected."
Pricing for the fuel cell car in the U.S. has not been officially announced yet, but in May 2010 Toyota said it was looking to sell it for around $50,000 in the United States, according to USA Today. The vehicle will go on sale in Japan for a starting price of approximately seven million yen, or $68,000.
In 2013, Toyota and BMW reached an agreement to share their technologies to develop a fundamental fuel cell vehicle system together. This wouldn't just include a fuel cell stack and system, but also a hydrogen tank, battery and motor. The two automakers are hoping to have the project completed sometime in 2020, according to a company release.
"Hydrogen works beautifully with oxygen to create water and electricity and nothing more," said Carter. "For years, the use of hydrogen gas to power an electric vehicle has been seen by many smart people as a foolish quest. Yes, there are significant challenges. The first is building the vehicle at a reasonable price for many people. The second is doing what we can to help kick-start the construction of convenient hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
"We're doing a good job with both and we will launch in 2015," he added.
Earlier this year Toyota announced 20 new hydrogen stations will be opened next year, and 28 will be in place by 2016. More than 100 stations "could" be opened by 2024, according to Toyota.
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