Honda Cars : Toyota, BMW working on new auto-battery technology, sports vehicle, fuel-cells, composites | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. and BMW Group are working together on next-generation batteries for green vehicles called “lithium-air” as their collaboration, first announced in late 2011, moves ahead in fuel cells, sports vehicles and other fields.

But both sides said Thursday the partnership will not involve a capital alliance while spanning a wide range of technologies for green vehicles.

The Japanese and German automakers aim to complete a fuel-cell vehicle system by 2020, and a concept for a mid-size sports vehicle by the end of this year. They will also work together on developing lightweight technologies such as composites, which will help make cars greener.

Joint research will be started to develop a lithium-air battery, which will be more powerful than the current lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, they said. The technology, which other automakers are also working on, will allow a major part of the battery’s energy-making process to come from the oxygen in air.
BMW AG board member Herbert Diess told reporters the co-operation will help both companies boost competitiveness in new technologies.

“We really share the same vision,” he said at a news conference in Nagoya, central Japan, live-streamed at Toyota’s Tokyo office.

Toyota Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada said working with BMW will allow for a much faster development as they pool their resources.

He said the companies share a corporate culture and they have built trust over the last year. An agreement to work on technologies together was signed in June last year.

BMW, known for its strong design and sporty cars, could be a good match for Toyota, reputed for innovation and solid engineering but sometimes criticized as making dull cars.

Global automakers are forging such partnerships to become more competitive.

French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen and General Motors Co. of the U.S. have a deal to share in purchases of parts and services to cut costs. Toyota already has a joint venture with Peugeot Citroen to make small cars in Europe.

Source;
http://www.therecord.com/news/business/article/874652--toyota-bmw-working-on-new-auto-battery-technology-sports-vehicle-fuel-cells-composites

Honda Cars : Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai sign MoU for Nordic introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

by Danny Tan

Last week, Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with organisations from the Nordic countries to support the market introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure between 2014 and 2017.

Besides the carmakers, the signing organisations wre hydrogen infrastructure companies HyOP AS (Norway); H2 Logic A/S (Denmark); Copenhagen Hydrogen Network A/S (Denmark) and Nordic NGOs HyNor Norway; Hydrogen Sweden; Icelandic New Energy; Hydrogen Link Denmark Association and Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway Partnership (SHHP).

This collaboration follows last month’s announcement by Honda CEO Takanobu Ito of the company’s development of an all-new FCEV for Japan, USA and Europe, to be launched from 2015. It also comes off the back of a month-long and high profile Europe Hydrogen Vehicle Road Tour, organised by H2 Moves Scandanavia. The tour had an event at the UK’s first public-access hydrogen refuelling station based at Honda’s Swindon base.

“In 2002 Honda became the world’s first carmaker to put a fuel cell car on the road with regular customers, delivering the Honda FCX Clarity to fleet users in the United States and Japan. We want to continue to lead the way for fuel cell technology across the world including Europe. This MoU signifies that commitment,” said Ken Kier, Executive VP of Honda Motor Europe.

Hyundai also has such a car, the ix35 FCEV, which has fuel cell tech in a Tucson body.

Source;
 http://paultan.org/2012/10/15/honda-toyota-nissan-and-hyundai-sign-mou-for-nordic-introduction-of-fuel-cell-electric-vehicles/

Honda Cars : Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota Join Forces for Hydrogen | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The tour will last one month, with event stopovers in nine European cities, public will experience benefits of alternative drivetrain

Here's a pic of the first Hydrogen production car to the market, brought to the table by Honda, the FCX Clarity.

12 September 2012 | JClark

September 13 marks an extraordinary milestone in the history of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV). Four international car manufacturers will join forces to demonstrate hydrogen-powered FCEVs are not just technologies of the future but of today. A total of 7 FCEVs from Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota will bring their individual hydrogen fuel cell systems to the European Hydrogen Road Tour 2012.

The tour will last one month, with special event stopovers in nine European cities, where interested public will be given the opportunity to experience the benefits of this alternative drivetrain. Several cities on the tour route will be the first opportunity for the general public to approach and test drive FCEVs where the only emission is water.

The event aims to reach out to politicians, industry leaders, press and public to help improve awareness around FCEVs, delivering a clear message. While the technology exists for Hydrogen Vehicles today, there is a real need to improve the European hydrogen distribution infrastructure. This tour also marks the most widespread effort to promote FCEVs in Europe this year.

Starting in Hamburg on September 13th, the FCEVs from participating manufacturers will afterwards move through Hannover, Bolzano, Paris, Cardiff, Bristol, Swindon, London and Copenhagen, supported by local organisations in each city. H2 Logic Denmark will provide mobile refuelling stations in some stopover cities.

The European Hydrogen Road Tour 2012 is part of the “H2moves Scandinavia” project. The project is the first European Lighthouse Project for hydrogen funded by the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking programme launched by the European Commission and European industry stakeholders. The project focusses on gaining customer acceptance for hydrogen-powered FCEVs and preparing the market for hydrogen fuel cell technology. The experience from operating 19 FCEVs in Oslo and Copenhagen and the corresponding hydrogen refuelling infrastructure shows that the technology is reliable now even in harsh Scandinavian winters.

Michel Gardel, Vice-President Communications, External and Environment Affairs of Toyota Motor Europe today commented: “Toyota has been active in fuel cell technology for the last 20 years and we are working to commercialise our next-generation fuel cell car by 2015. The European Hydrogen Road Tour is a great opportunity for our company and partners to demonstrate the readiness of the technology to European consumers.”

Dr. Christian Mohrdieck, Director drive development fuel cell system, Daimler AG points out the importance of this technology: “On our way to zero-emission mobility fuel cell electric vehicles – with their great range while at the same time short refueling times – will play a central role for the future. However, the success of this technology depends crucially on certain conditions being in place, such as the availability of a nationwide hydrogen infrastructure.”

Thomas Brachmann, Automobile Engineering & Research, Honda R&D Europe (Deutschland) GmbH remarked that “Honda believe fuel cell electric vehicles are the ultimate mobility solution, providing a practical, clean and near silent answer to transport requirements. The European Hydrogen Road Tour offers a great opportunity to give the public, the media and government officials a chance to experience this zero emission technology for themselves.”

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe describes their reasons for joining the tour: “Hyundai is proud to be playing an integral role in the European Hydrogen Road Tour 2012. The Hyundai ix35 FCEV clearly demonstrates not only our commitment to producing hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, but also the benefits of FCEV. As the availability and performance of this technology improves, we can look forward to FCEVs providing sustainable mobility to future generations while dramatically reducing climate change.”

Source;
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/mercedes-benz/corporate-news/mercedes-benz-honda-hyundai-and-toyota-join-forces-for-hydrogen/

Honda Cars : Toyota aims to supply thousands of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles by 2020 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Interesting, I wonder how this compares to the Honda FCX-Clarity....
Toyota Motor Corp. unveiled its hydrogen-powered FCV-R Concept car at the Geneva Motor Show, restating its aim to sell vehicles based on the non-polluting sedan by 2015. Toyota, the largest seller of hybrid vehicles in the world, hopes that in the next decade, it will be able to supply thousands of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles annually in anticipation of the demand for petroleum-free autos. Didier Leroy, head of Toyota's European operations, said that the company is undertaking preparations so that it would be able to make “tens of thousands” of these vehicles each year in the 2020s.

John Hanson, a spokesman for the company's U.S. unit, said that Toyota has yet to announce the price or marketing plans for fuel-cell cars or set a global sales target. Toyota is currently selling the plug-in version of its Prius hybrid while this year, it has built vehicles that will be made at the battery-powered RAV4 and Scion iQ models. He added that there will still be challenges, including having to cut costs and resolve technical complications that had prevented retail customers from buying hydrogen fuel-cell cars.

Hydrogen is ideal to be used as fuel due to its abundance and as it’s able to make vehicles go on distances comparable to that of gasoline. The disadvantages include the high expense in making the fuel cells, the layers of plastic film coated with platinum placed between metal plates that make electricity, and the fact that there are only a few stations that have the equipment to dispense hydrogen fuel. At the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, Toyota presented the FT-Bh concept vehicle. Toyota claims that the carbon emissions level of this small, lightweight gasoline-electric hatchback is less than half the average for cars of the same size.

Source;

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/toyota-aims-to-supply-thousands-of-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicles-by-2020/

Honda Cars : Toyota to show three new concepts in Tokyo, will offer fuel-cell sedan in 2015 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Toyota’s display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show will feature several concept cars to highlight its brand, aiming “to make fresh proposals concerning the dream and joy of motor vehicles under the concept ‘Fun to Drive, Again.’”

The first concept is the new Toyota Fun-Vii – study that “heralds a future where people, cars and society are linked.” Not many details are provided on the Fun-Vii but the concept studies how people, cars, and society will connect to each other.

The second concept is the FCV-R, a sedan fuel-cell sedan fueled by hydrogen. “With the fuel-cell unit located beneath the specially designed body, the vehicle can accommodate up to four passengers and boasts impressive luggage space,” Toyota said in a statement. “The fuel cell stack, consisting of a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, has been improved to provide a cruising distance of approximately 700 km or more (under the JC08 test cycle; according to TMC).”

Toyota plans on producing the FCV-R in 2015.

Last but not lease will be the FT-EV III electric concept. The fully-electric concept is equipped with lithium-ion batteries and has an estimated range of 65 miles. Toyota plans on producing the model as early as next year.

- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/11/15/toyota-fcv-r-fun-vii-ft-ev-iii-concept-debut-tokyo/#more-105607

Honda Cars : Toyota could have hydrogen fuel-cell car on the road by 2014 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Hmmm, Honda might just be on to something with this Hydrogen business....
Honda's FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle has grabbed lots of headlines, as has BMW's combustion-powered Hydrogen7 and Mazda's rotary RE line of vehicles, including the RX-8. But Toyota is working on a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle too, and it could be on the streets by 2014.

Well, the streets of California at least. The company had previously released plans to have a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle on the road by 2015, but that schedule has been bumped up a year to meet the incentives within California's Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate.

“So much of what happens is directly related to the California ZEV mandates — they’re followed by at least 14 states, and they affect nearly half of the cars on the market in the United States. Phase IV of the mandates covers model years 2015 through 2017, so that means we could begin complying in late 2014," John Hanson, a Toyota spokesperson, told the New York Times.

California's ZEV scheme has previously influenced Toyota and other carmakers, including General Motors, to introduce zero-emissions vehicles, including the RAV-4 EV and the much-discussed EV-1.

This time around, the monetary benefits to California's program are such that it's now a valid business case for Toyota to build the hydrogen fuel-cell car.

Source;
http://www.motorauthority.com/toyota-could-have-hydrogen-fuel-cell-car-on-the-road-by-2014.html