Toyota has again reaffirmed its belief that even with Electric vehicles rapidly gaining traction, internal combustion engines (ICEs) cannot be pushed out of the market yet. Toyota has unveiled a radical approach that ensures combustion engines by introducing another combustion engine. Interestingly, this is just any other engine, it’s an engine that runs on hydrogen emits water vapor, and still delivers exemplary performance.
Toyota’s Hydrogen Combustion Technology
Toyota’s hydrogen combustion technology is designed to deliver strong performance while improving efficiency. Latest reports show that this engine can produce up to 400 horsepower thus putting it at par with the Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine that is used in high-efficiency hybrids.
Toyota has already tried this technology through the Toyota Mirai sedan which shows that hydrogen has real-world viability. Toyota showcased this car at the Paris 2024 Olympics where it provided 500 of them for the event.
How Toyota’s Hydrogen Combustion Engine Functions
Instead of using gasoline, the engine burns hydrogen, emitting water vapor as the only byproduct, meaning that it does not emit any harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Although the engine is a bit quieter, it still gives the same rumble as gas-powered cars. This is to ensure that the sound thrill that is missing in EVs is restored .
Why Toyota’s Hydrogen Combustion Engines are a Game Changer
These hydrogen engines are safe and less likely to explode or catch fire as easily as Lithium-ion batteries. Although a hydrogen explosion resembles more of a bomb than a normal spark and fire, these engines are less likely to overheat or react poorly to environmental conditions.
Hydrogen engines are also expected to be lighter because hydrogen gas is lighter than lithium batteries producing the same amount of energy. Hydrogen also stores more energy than gasoline, making it a vital source even in large-scale consumption.
Besides power, safety, and weight, Toyota’s hydrogen combustion engines are more efficient. These engines are designed to attain a thermal efficiency of up to 45% equal to some of the best diesel engines on the market.
Lastly, hydrogen-powered engines are so similar to fuel-powered engines and entirely mechanical. This ensures that they are less complicated than EV batteries and therefore your local garage that you are comfortable with can be able to work on them.
What Competition is Facing Hydrogen Engines?
While Toyota believes that the innovation of hydrogen combustion technology offers a more balanced solution, other car brands like Jaguar, Mercedes, and Volvo are planning to phase out combustion by 2030 or earlier. For instance, Mercedes intends to go fully electric by 2030 while in Europe, Stellantis promises to start selling only EVs by the end of the decade. Surprisingly, even the Toyota Lexus brand is planning to halt the sale of cars with combustion engines by 2035.
The Future for Toyota’s Hydrogen
It’s clear that combustion engines are not yet dead, but instead evolving. Toyota’s production of cars like Mirai for daily driving and hydrogen combustion for performance enhancements shows that the future for this technology is bright and likely to reshape the auto industry. Additionally, with the increased support from governments and private investors, Toyota’s long-term vision may prove to be a game-changer.
Whether it’s through combustion or fuel cells, Toyota’s hydrogen technology is expected to stand the test of time. Its participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the growth of hydrogen refueling stations are clear indicators that clean combustion is thriving. The hydrogen fueling stations market is expected to grow from $0.5 billion in 2024 to $1.8 billion by 2030 thanks to leading leaders like Air Liquide, Linde PLC, Air Products and Chemicals Inc, Nel USA IN Norway and MAXIMATOR Hydrogen Gmbh.