Aside from their
new very efficient hydrogen combustion engine and other innovations like liquid
hydrogen racing engines and battery reuse and replacement, Toyota recently announced
portable swappable hydrogen cartridges for their fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
These are being revealed for the first time this week (October 15- 18, 2024) at
the Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2024. According to Toyota’s press release:
“The technology Toyota has cultivated in the development
of FCEVs is used to reduce the size and weight of hydrogen tanks, which were
previously large and difficult to carry, to a size that can be carried by hand.
They are designed to make hydrogen a familiar and safe energy source that can
be used in a variety of everyday situations.”
“A hydrogen-powered cooker developed together with Rinnai
Corporation will also be exhibited as an example of hydrogen use, where
hydrogen in portable cartridges is used for fuel cells to generate electricity
or for cooking by combusting hydrogen gas in portable hydrogen cartridges.”
“Through this exhibition, Toyota aims to find matches
with the technologies and ideas of various companies and startups from a
variety of perspectives, including both providing services and developing and
selling devices using portable hydrogen cartridges. In doing so, Toyota will
further strengthen its efforts to use portable hydrogen cartridges and help
create a hydrogen society.”
The technology is
still in the concept phase, but Toyota has succeeded in making tank sizes smaller,
lighter, more portable, and easier to carry. They envision fuel cells being
used for FCEVs, FC cooking appliances, home energy storage and backup power,
and other mobility and transport like motorcycles, home appliances, and industrial
appliances. They also envision an exchange system where empty cartridges are
exchanged for full ones, similar to how LPG or propane tanks are exchanged. It
is unclear to me if the cartridges can readily be used for hydrogen combustion
in say a hydrogen combustion engine or must be used only for fuel cells, or if they
must be altered for that.
The convenience
and quickness of simply swapping out a cartridge would make refueling faster
than EV charging. It also limits the need for hydrogen refueling stations.
There would still need to be exchange points. Judging from the size of the
tanks one could likely have a spare or two or more for longer trips, I would think.
References:
Toyota
eliminates EV range anxiety through swappable hydrogen fuel cell batteries. Joshua
Shavit. The Brighterside of News. October 15, 2024. Toyota eliminates EV range anxiety
through swappable hydrogen fuel cell batteries (msn.com)
Toyota’s
swappable hydrogen fuel cells can extend EV range without pitstops. Ameya
Paleja. Interesting Engineering. October 16, 2024. Toyota’s swappable hydrogen fuel
cells can extend EV range without pitstops (msn.com)
Toyota
to Exhibit at Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2024. Toyota. October 8, 2024. Toyota to Exhibit at Japan Mobility
Show Bizweek 2024 | Corporate | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation
Official Global Website
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