With rising fuel prices and looming emissions regulation worldwide, more and more automakers are looking to alternative fuels to power future vehicles. Hydrogen is one such technology and it looks as though Toyota has moved some of its fuel-cell research to the U.S.
This Japanese-market Mark X Zio doesn’t exactly look in place here in the United States. The vehicle itself has been on sale in Japan for a while now, but not as seen here: First – this is left-hand drive vehicle and therefore not something that you would find in Japan.
Second: This Mark X Zio was running on a hydrogen fuel cell!
Toyota has been doing lots of fuel cell development over the last several years, including a high-MPG Highlander – referred to as the Toyota FCHV-adv – which reached a 516-mile range and a 25% increase in fuel efficiency during recent testing in Japan. But a hydrogen fuel cell in this Mark X Zio will likely be a surprise to everyone!
With gas prices going up and up, we wouldn’t be surprised if Toyota is considering introducing such a vehicle to the United States.
July 22nd, 2008
