The race to become the future of electrification has never been so interesting, and Toyota is clear about it: betting on hydrogen. In a world where there are more and more restrictions on combustion vehicles (in the European Union, for example) brands have an almost obligatory task of renewing themselves, and the world is almost pushing us towards electrification. So, Toyota has already begun to put in place an infrastructure that can respond to the growing electric market and has signed an alliance with the company HRS (Hydrogen Refueling Solution) and the ENGIE group to be able to carry out its entire plan: a new generation of hydrogen refuelling systems. We tell you below everything that is known so far about this project!
RHeaDHy and the European ambition.
While many manufacturers are focusing on electrification with batteries, the Japanese brand continues to bet heavily on hydrogen fuel cells, but for hydrogen to be a real alternative in mobility, more than good cars are needed; accessible and, above all, efficient infrastructure is needed. That’s where RHeaDHy comes into play.
The plan includes the development of a double medium flow pump (Twin Mid Flow), which will allow heavy vehicles to be refuelled in less than 10 minutes and light cars in less than 5. The idea is simple but strong: the same pump for all types of vehicles, regardless of whether it is large, a truck or a motorcycle. This is intended to reduce costs and make it much more comfortable and easy to install in all petrol stations in Europe.
And the regulations?
But was Toyota born yesterday? Obviously, they are not doing anything without a plan and this move fits into the European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which requires that there be hydrogen stations every 200 km on the main roads of each region by 2030. But Toyota is already getting ahead of the future and is looking to secure its place in the market because it does not want to be left behind!
First tests: trucks
Of course, Toyota is not one to say things and procrastinate, they have gone straight to practice and put it to the test, and it will be the trucks that will be the protagonists of this first test, it is estimated that they can achieve a range of up to 600 km with just six minutes of charging (or more than 900 if it takes twice as long). It is clear that the research that Toyota is carrying out will leave the world perplexed.
Thiebault Paquet, Vice President of R&D has expressed that they are working and collaborating with industrial partners so that the use is expanded and a future without emissions is achieved once and for all.
Is hydrogen a good bet?
This debate has been going on for years, some brands believe that electrification with batteries is the easiest and most direct path, but there are those, like Toyota, who remain convinced that the future is hydrogen, especially in places where batteries are not such a viable option
Hassen Rachedi, CEO of Hydrogen Refueling Solutions, has backed Toyota’s view, ensuring that they are laying the foundations for a future where hydrogen will be key to decarbonizing the world of transport.
As to whether hydrogen is the best ally, we will have to wait and see how both hydrogen and electrification projects progress, but this is undoubtedly a bold bet that will redefine the direction of transport if other companies follow suit. Will Toyota manage to lead the transition or will it end up being just a dead letter? What is clear is that the race for sustainable mobility is more exciting than ever! What’s next?