Toyota ready to release its first H2 vehicle, the FCV

According to Toyota Motor Company, the Japanese giant will release its first hydrogen (H2) variant to its domestic market next Spring, with a follow on rollout to the U.S Market shortly afterwards. Is should be remembered that Toyota showcased an H2 concept at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

The company apparently intends to do its initial U.S. sales and marketing work in California where the emergence of a series of automaker-lead test fuel plants are currently under construction. Along with this commercial interest, planning engendered by the State of California suggest that they will help develop and support up to 100 H2 fuel plant state-wide by the end of 2024.

Recent comments from Toyota’s Senior Vice President Bob Carter tend to support the company’s essential marketing focus, “(…) this infrastructure thing is going to happen.” The new vehicle, branded FCV, will offer a suggested Japanese MSRP of just under $70k (US), although there were no indications of what a U.S. product would cost.

Recent comments by Toyota’s Executive Vice President Mitsuhisa Kato offered that a final U.S. price point would depend on various governmental subsidies, “(…) subsidies are very important, but levels of subsidies are still undecided,” he concluded.

The new car’s H2 powerplant will provide for a range of over 400 miles per fueling, with 0-60 performance numbers averaging 10.1 seconds. The company asserted that the rationale for its move toward hydrogen was based on longer range, and lower operating cost.

Toyota’s decision comes close on the heels of recent news from Honda, who recently decided to push its multi-year test series of practical prototypes toward a production version; also currently slated to be called the FCV. Meanwhile, this Japanese activity may well have something to do with Hyundai-Kia’s newly rolled out FCEV to dealers in California and Arizona, along with new interest from BMW, Mercedes, and even Ford. So stay tuned, this could get interesting.