Search
Close this search box.

Toyota Goes to the Races with Three Alternative Fuel Cars

Toyota will enter three cars into the Hankook Super Taikyu Series this year but there’s a catch! No two cars will have the same engine. In fact, each car will use a unique type of fuel altogether. The Corolla racecar pictured below is Hydrogen powered, the GR86 pictured below that is powered by a carbon neutral fuel and lastly, there is also a petrol powered GR86.

Toyota’s Hydrogen powered car from last season’s race

Toyota’s aim is to achieve a carbon neutral society where motorsport can still flourish, a mission that has been accelerated this year! The Japanese giant entered a Hydrogen powered Corolla in the same competition last year but it wasn’t quite on par with the petrol powered competition. Things are different this year as the Hydrogen powered Corolla has seen a power increase of 24% and a 33% torque increase! They have also fixed the combustion issues that plagued the racecar last year! How good is that?

Though the work isn’t quite done just yet as the brand will spend this year improving refilling times and cruising range under Hydrogen power. A good start nonetheless!

A carbon neutral powered Toyota GR86
This GR86 gives out exactly 0g of carbon dioxide!

While the Hydrogen powered achievements are fascinating, the ‘carbon neutral’ fuel is even more thought provoking! So how does Toyota achieve this feat you might ask? A good question and one that is answered by the air around you, quite literally! The carbon neutral GR86 uses a 1.4 turbo engine which uses carbon during the combustion process while also releasing carbon dioxide at the same time. An equation which results in difference of 0. Toyota have affirmed that this is a new technology and one that they will keep refining with the help of Subaru.

A Yamanashi Prefecture Hydrogen plant in Japan
What does a Hydrogen plant look like you may ask, here’s one!

Toyota’s new Hydrogen partner, Yamanashi Prefecture is an interesting one as well. They produce Hydrogen via electrolysis (separating molecules using electricity) of water in a process that is powered by solar energy! The resulting energy created is then stored at their plant pictured above.

Toyota's resin liner Hydrogen transportation solution
Toyota’s research with the Mirai have made Hydrogen transport more efficient

Transportation is another tricky part of the Hydrogen fuel cycle but one that Toyota have excelled at. Thanks to their work with Mira FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle), they have experimented with the art of regulating pressure to make Hydrogen transport more efficient. The firm’s innovation with ‘resin liners’ has meant that fuel can be transported at 45MPa with Toyota pushing for a pressure of 70MPa currently!

Personally, I am really excited to see Toyota’s developments in this area as it could mean saving our car and motorsport culture for the future. Godspeed Toyota, Godspeed!

Thanks for reading! For the latest Toyota News and Reviews, check out Tarmac Life.

Words by Matthew D’Souza, pictures courtesy of Toyota Newsroom Global.

Share your love
Facebook
Twitter

Newsletter

Support our advertisers

Paying bills

Ads from the Googles

Support our advertisers

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *