The world's first commercial use of fuel-cell cars began this week with Toyota and Honda leasing environmentally friendly vehicles to the Japanese government. But, at about 40 times the cost of leasing a conventional car, it will be years before the cars are within consumers' reach.
Toyota has leased four fuel-cell hybrid vehicles (FCHVs) to four government agencies - the cabinet office, the trade ministry, the transport ministry and the environment ministry. Powered by electricity generated from oxygen and pressurised hydrogen gas, the sleek silver vehicle, based on the Highlander/Kluger sports utility vehicle, seats five and has a range of up to 185 miles on one tank of hydrogen. Toyota will charge about €10,000 a month for each of the vehicles during the 30-month contracts.
Honda leased one of its FCX fuel-cell cars to Japan's cabinet office for a 12-month contract at €6,500 a month. "The delivery of the fuel-cell cars today is meaningful for Japan's energy policy," Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said at a ceremony at his office.
Toyota is also leasing two FCHVs in the US, to the University of California, for about the same price. Within a year, Toyota aims to lease 16 more cars in Japan and the US.
Honda's FCX also made its American commercial debut this week, leasing a car to the city of Los Angeles, with four more to follow. Over the next three years, Honda hopes to lease 30 FCXs in Japan and the US. The FCX seats four and has a range of about 220 miles for each tank load of hydrogen.
Trade Minister Takeo Hiranuma said fuel-cell vehicles generate no harmful emissions and were one step ahead of other hybrids which combine conventional internal combustion engines with electric motors,.
In 1997 Toyota introduced its Prius hybrid, which it says produces up to 90 per cent less harmful emissions than the average conventional car. It has so far sold 105,000 Prius vehicles in Japan and abroad.
Taiyou Kawai, general manager of Toyota's fuel-cell development department, said many hurdles remain before fuel-cell vehicles would be widely used by consumers. Cost is the biggest factor with each FCHV costing more than €800,000 to produce, he said. Another major hurdle is the lack of hydrogen stations where fuel-cell vehicle drivers can fill up. ... -AFP