The hydrogen fuel cell Toyota FCV has been unveiled in its final production form ahead of its introduction into showrooms from 2015.
The production version of the Toyota FCV remains very faithful to the 2013 concept car, retaining the overall shape and most of the concept’s usual styling elements.
Pricing in Japan starts from ¥7 million (US$68,750) excluding consumption tax. The FCV will go on sale in Japan from April 2015, with European and US sales to start in the northern summer of 2015.
Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that converts compressed hydrogen stored in the FCV’s tank and oxygen from the air into water. This powers an electric engine that powers the front wheels. Excess energy, as well as any recovered by regenerative braking, are stored in a battery pack hybrid-style.
According to Toyota the FCV will have a driving range of around 700km (378mi) on a full tank of hydrogen and refilling will take roughly three minutes.
Toyota has yet to detail other specifics about the car, such as its power, fuel economy and specification levels.
Regardless, Tesla has proven that there’s a market for expensive, but stylish, cars with alternative drivetrains. The Toyota FCV fulfils two of those requirements, but falls well short at the third and, possibly, most crucial one.
