Toyota is changing its focus: switching from electric vehicles to hydrogen

Dew Briefs :

1. EU, China, US leading the trend, Toyota partners with European firms for hydrogen fuel cells
2. Thomas Institute study on hydrogen combustion engines
3. Germany new gas plants must be “hydrogen-ready” by 2035 and 2040.
4. Hydrogen is the universe’s most abundant element.
5. IGX, Acme MoU to develop green hydrogen and Ammonia in India

Toyota’s Innovative Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles

Toyota is a pioneer in developing zero-emission cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells. They have already introduced the Toyota Mirai, which uses second-generation hydrogen fuel cells, and are now working on the third generation. The company is also focusing on promoting this technology in Europe through their “Toyota Hydrogen Factory” project. This project aims to coordinate the commercialization of hydrogen technology and systems, from development to sales and after-sales service.

Why Choose Hydrogen Over Lithium Batteries?

• Technology for hydrogen fuel cells still faces challenges related to fuel storage and manufacturing costs.
• Hydrogen fuel cells offer advantages over electric cars powered by lithium batteries.
• Lithium supplies may become depleted and expensive as electric car production becomes widespread.
• Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe.
• Technologies to produce, store, and use hydrogen as a fuel are becoming more feasible.

Toyota is focusing on improving fuel cell efficiency and targeting heavy-duty transportation, such as buses and freight trucks, with their third-generation fuel cells. They have partnered with Dutch trucking company VDL to convert existing trucks into zero-emission vehicles using Toyota’s fuel cell modules. The partnership also involves expanding the network of hydrogen stations in France and the Netherlands. The recent discovery of a white hydrogen deposit by French researchers near the border of France and Germany could further enhance the use of hydrogen as a clean energy source in Europe.

The Thomas Institute for Technology Research has conducted a study on hydrogen combustion engines and their potential as the future of transportation. The main points and key insights from the study are as follows:

• Hydrogen internal combustion engines are a viable alternative to traditional spark-ignition engines, offering a solution to the problem of hydrocarbon refueling and reducing pollution.
• Companies should consider investing in hydrogen fuel production technology to contribute to a more sustainable environment.
• The Thomas Institute for Technology Research has developed a unique Green Hydrogen Patent Pending Technology, which offers a promising solution for clean and efficient hydrogen combustion engines.
• The technology has been proven with a working prototype and is available for purchase at $1M.
• Many major automobile companies, including Ford, GM, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, Hyundai, and Honda, are shifting their focus from electric vehicles to hydrogen combustion motors.
• The technology includes a water tank, allowing users to fill up the tank from any hose, making refueling convenient.
• Hydrogen fuel offers advantages over electric vehicles, such as lower buying and maintenance costs, improved reliability, and a more extensive range of travel.
• The Thomas Technology’s design with an automatic self-sustaining fuel system ensures 99.999% clean hydrocarbon emissions from hydrogen combustion.
• The technology utilizes the Thomas electrolyzer to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen elements.

Hydrogen-Ready: Germany’s Shift Towards Gas Power in the Renewable Era

• Germany has approved plans to finance the expansion of natural gas-fired power plants as a backup for renewable energy sources.
• The government aims to achieve a coal phaseout target by 2030 and emissions-free power production by 2035.
• The new gas plants must be “hydrogen-ready” and capable of burning hydrogen between 2035 and 2040.
• Germany’s decision to rely on gas plants after closing nuclear power stations raises questions about its path to climate neutrality.
• The use of hydrogen as a long-term power balancing tool in a renewables-based grid is being considered, but the source of hydrogen is not specified.
• Hydrogen’s potential as a fuel for transportation and heating has been downgraded in recent years, with other alternatives like heat pumps and electric vehicles gaining popularity.
• The move towards gas plants may lock in more than a decade of gas emissions and hinder the progress of cleaner energy storage solutions.

IGX, Acme to develop green hydrogen, ammonia market in India

Acme Group and Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) have signed an MoU to collaborate on developing the green hydrogen and ammonia market in India.

The two companies aim to establish a physical trading market for green molecules, starting with regional hubs near hydrogen and ammonia projects and eventually expanding to a nationwide hub.

The MoU covers the entire value chain of green hydrogen and ammonia, including production, logistics, supply, and various applications. Acme Group, an independent renewable-power producer in India, has a portfolio of over 5GW of renewable-energy capacity and is actively developing green hydrogen and ammonia projects in multiple countries.

Their goal is to have a portfolio of 10 million metric tonnes per annum of green ammonia or equivalent hydrogen and derivatives by 2032.

Diver Insights :

• Challenges persist for hydrogen fuel cell technology in storage and manufacturing costs.
• Hydrogen fuel cells offer advantages over lithium battery-powered electric cars.
• Lithium supplies may become scarce and costly due to widespread electric car production.
• Technologies for hydrogen fuel production, storage, and utilization are becoming more feasible.
• The automotive industry is undergoing inevitable change, with a shift away from gasoline and diesel vehicles towards zero-emission vehicles.
• Environmental policies of the European Union, China, and the United States are driving the trend towards replacing internal combustion vehicles with zero-emission alternatives.
• Electric cars, powered by lithium batteries, are one of the prominent zero-emission vehicle options.
• Toyota, a Japanese company, is exploring alternatives to lithium-ion batteries and investing in hydrogen fuel cell technology.
• Toyota aims to partner with European companies to promote heavy-duty transportation using hydrogen as a fuel.
• The company also plans to expand the network of refueling stations to support hydrogen-powered vehicles.
• Germany’s Shift Towards Gas Power in the Renewable Era
• IGX, Acme to develop green hydrogen, ammonia market in India