Buy a hydrogen-powered car in 2015…at least in California

At the Consumers Electronics Show this week Toyota claimed that a production version of its four-door midsize FCV concept fuel cell sedan will hit showrooms some time in 2015.

Toyota has been investing in fuel-cell technology for the past 20 years, and since 2002 it has been testing and developing prototypes primarily in North America. Toyota claims that it has reduced the cost of producing a fuel-cell powertrain, and has estimated a 95 percent cost reduction in the powertrain and fuel tanks for the 2015 production model versus the 2002 prototype.

The Japanese automaker said it reduced both the size and weight of the powertrain system without compromising the total power output, which peaks at more than 100 kW.

According to Toyota, a fully fueled FCV is capable of supplying enough power to sustain a house for a week, or achieving a 300-mile driving range and a 0-60 time of about ten seconds. Green-conscious Californians are the target market, explaining in part why the FCV will see its initial rollout there.

The other reason California was selected is the availability of refueling stations. Toyota and the University of California Irvine's Advanced Power and Energy Program joined forces to strategically map out potential hydrogen fueling locations throughout the state. California has already approved more than $200 million in funds to build about 20 fueling stations by the time the vehicle launches in 2015, 20 more by 2016, and as many as 100 by 2024.

By Natalie Sejnost