When it comes to alternative fuels, the flavor of the day is without a doubt plug-in electricity in the automotive industry – but Toyota has reason to believe hydrogen should be considered as a viable alternative to generating electricity in the near future.
As with most new technologies, one of the major factors holding back the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is the cost of manufacturing the fuel cells themselves, but Toyota is predicting the cost to drop to 1/20th the cost in 2008 by 2015 when the Japanese automaker begins selling its first hydrogen-powered car, according to Automotive News.
Toyota says that intends on reaching the cost reductions on multiple fronts, ranging from materials to the actual construction processes themselves for building the fuel cells. For example, fuel cell tanks require platinum, an expensive rare metal, and Toyota is developing ways to reduce the application of the rare metal in its fuel stack. Toyota is also working to simplify the design itself of the tank, which in turn reduces the part count and complexity of construction.
Another key change that the automaker has already honed is the weaving of the carbon fiber for the tank. Previously, the process involved spools that worked around the tank that remained stationary – now the tank and the spools move in concert, which dramatically reduces the time required to build the tanks.
How much can fuel cell tank costs really matter?
According to Toyota – a lot. Toyota says that today’s fuel cell systems, including the fuel cell stack and hydrogen tank, drive the price of otherwise affordable cars into the six-figure range.
So while it may seem insignificant to change a few steps in the process of manufacturing the tank, along with reducing some of the more expensive materials, in the end these changes may very well move the cost from unrealistic to obtainable for many potential buyers.
Next on the list of challenges, however: hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
References
1.’Toyota says cost…’ view
