A Toyota GR Corolla with a hydrogen combustion engine has successfully completed its second season in the Super Taikyu Series (S-Tai), a motorsport event focused on carbon-neutral competition. Toyota also campaigned a GR86 with synthetic fuel, reaffirming its desire to explore alternative means of propulsion beyond just electric vehicles, but we're particularly interested in the hydrogen-powered Corolla.
The manufacturer's behind-the-scenes in-house magazine, Toyota Times, reports that this season the hydrogen Corolla "has increased output by 7%, torque by 5%, and cruising range by 15%." Compared to last year's debut race, the numbers are even more impressive: output has increased by 24% and cruising range has increased by 30%. At this rate, hydrogen power could become viable for mainstream use sooner than many expect.
In addition to these gains, the technology used to prevent abnormal combustion (specifically preignition or premature detonation) has been steadily improved to the point that the frequency of this phenomenon during the final race of the season (held on the final weekend of November at Suzuka Circuit) has been reduced to less than half that of the opening round.
Koji Sato, president of Gazoo Racing Company suggested that these improvements could accelerate hydrogen's introduction to production cars: "Problems can be identified quickly by using the car at its limit. Then [we can] proceed with the countermeasures in an agile manner [to be ready for the next race.]"
He added that "large-scale demonstration experiments are progressing toward the realization of a hydrogen society," noting that motorsports will help to progress the production and transport of hydrogen fuel. Toyota says that this particular racing series has meant that the "development of the hydrogen Corolla is progressing at an astonishing speed," which is great news for those who don't want to be tied to EVs.
Deputy general manager of the GR powertrain development division Teru Ogawa reported that Toyota will "launch a new team dedicated to mass production development" and noted that the team's next goal is to further improve reliability and functionality, after which its focus will aim to miniaturize the tank in an effort to extend the cruising range with liquid hydrogen. However, liquid hydrogen is expected to be very difficult to perfect, so the deputy GM wants to release a car that uses gaseous hydrogen.
While focusing on forthcoming challenges, he also revealed that Toyota wants to further refine the areas of hydrogen engine technology that it has already made progress with and master these to make it easier for other companies to use the technology.
While developing the use of hydrogen, Toyota Transport's biofuel trucks and Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies FC's light-duty trucks will deal with carbon-neutral fuel transportation. Already, FC trucks have increased transportation efficiency by 5.5 times, but it is working to further increase the loads it can manage. Furthermore, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, Denso, and Toyota are all "conducting joint research in hydrogen engines with a view to installing them in motorcycles."
Simultaneously, Toyota is reusing raw materials in the production of suspension components and other parts to reduce its CO2 emissions in manufacturing.
But the most exciting news is that President Sato revealed he had received inquiries from domestic and international OEMs and suppliers that want to work together on hydrogen tech.
"Last year, when we just started development, we were completely isolated, but I feel that things have changed significantly in the last two years, and there is definitely a movement around the world to explore various options," said the executive, adding that Toyota is conducting field trials and wants hydrogen tech to be "completely open," inviting others to work with his company to form partners.
Toyota and BMW partnered to build the GR Supra and the Z4 Roadster. BMW has been developing hydrogen technology on its own terms for years now. Putting two and two together, one can't help but think that Toyota and BMW could benefit from another partnership.
In a nutshell, the world's biggest automakers are still a long way from fully committing to battery electric vehicles, and that gives enthusiasts like you and me hope that the future won't be totally silent.
