Message #137 From:
FastFun Date: September 28, 2007 09:26:00 AM
Toyota unveils fuel-cell vehicle capable of longer distance
9/28/2007 9:30 AM
TOKYO (AP) -- Toyota Motor (TM) unveiled an upgraded fuel-cell vehicle that successfully completed a test run Friday, proving its ability to run a longer distance than its existing model, a move to take a lead in the future power-train technology race.
The latest model has gone 480 miles on a single fueling, more than double the mileage achieved by Toyota's existing model, the company said in a statement.
Toyota has been in a race with global automakers, including General Motors (GM), to develop non-gas-emission vehicles. A major challenge in developing fuel-cell vehicles is their limited driving distance .
Toyota, which became one of the first carmakers to obtain government approval in Japan to market fuel-cell vehicles in 2002, said the advanced vehicle is 25% more fuel efficient than the existing model. It reduces use of electricity for electronic equipment installed in the vehicle, the company said.
In a public road test Friday, two advanced fuel-cell vehicles ran about 350 miles from Osaka to Tokyo without refueling, while keeping their air conditioning on, Toyota said. About 30% of the fuel was unused when they arrived in Tokyo.
Fuel-cell cars are widely viewed as the most promising pollution-free vehicles for the future because they are powered by electricity generated through the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen and emit only water as a byproduct.
Toyota said the company plans to continue its research and development to further improve driving distance, usability at low temperature, durability and cost reduction.
Separately, a Toyota executive brushed off a recent Wall Street Journal report that said Toyota was delaying the launch of the next-generation Prius by a year of two because of problems in developing the lithium-ion battery. Hybrids on sale now use nickel-metal-hydride batteries.
The Toyota official, who requested anonymity, said he was puzzled by the report. He said various innovations for the next Prius are being considered not just the lithium-ion battery.
He said some type of lithium-ion battery is preferable for hybrid vehicles in the long run because it is lighter and pack more power than nickel-metal-hydride batteries. He acknowledged that the lithium-ion battery had not been perfected.
