Toyota FCHV-adv Hits the Road in California for Real-World Experience
Toyota’s Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle – Advanced (FCHV-adv) has arrived in the United States, and several vehicles have recently been delivered to Toyota partners for real-world testing. UC Irvine and UC Berkeley were recent recipients, as was the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP).
What makes this version of Toyota’s FCHV different from the first generation?
Thanks to results of tests conducted by Toyota’s network of global partners, including the CaFCP, on the first-generation FCHV, FCHV-adv’s fuel-cell system was improved to increase cruising distance and allow for low-temperature starts.
A challenge for fuel-cell vehicles has been operating at low temperatures. The FCHV-adv can start and operate at temperatures as low as minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning the vehicle can be used in a wide variety of conditions and climates. Fuel-efficiency for the FCHV-adv has been improved by 25% over the first-generation Toyota FCHV through improving fuel-cell-unit performance, enhancing the regenerative brake system and reducing energy consumed by the auxiliary system. The FCHV-adv is equipped with Toyota Motor Corporation-developed 70-MPa high-pressure hydrogen tanks that make it possible to travel more than 500 miles on a single fueling, which is more than double that of its predecessor.
Alex Labarces
May 12, 2009 | 12:30 PMIt seems that lately there are more and more of these tests being conducted, anyone know when we could expect to see this out in the market? I know Toyota is big on Hybrids, is this their next step?