Toyota Developing Hydrogen Engine with Motorsports

By refining hydrogen technologies through motorsports, Toyota aims for a better hydrogen-based society.

Toyota Motor announced today that it is developing a hydrogen engine. Toyota has installed the engine on a racing vehicle based on the Corolla Sport, which it will enter in competition under ORC ROOKIE Racing flag starting with the Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race on 21-23 May. (AutoInformed: First Look – A Technological Tour de Force – Toyota Gen 2 Mirai Fuel-Cell Electric Sedan Starting at -$9000 Compared to Gen 1)

Plans are for the hydrogen-engine-powered race vehicle  – 1.6-liter turbocharged and intercooled – to be fueled during races using hydrogen produced* at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture. 

While aiming to expand hydrogen infrastructure by promoting hydrogen use, Toyota said intends to continue advancing efforts for economic recovery and revitalization of the Tohoku region together with all parties concerned.

Fuel cell electrified vehicles (FCEVs) such as Toyota’s Mirai use a fuel cell in which hydrogen chemically reacts with oxygen in the air to produce electricity that powers an electric motor. Instead, hydrogen engines generate power through the combustion of hydrogen using fuel supply and injection systems that have been modified from those used with gasoline engines. Except for the combustion of minute amounts of engine oil during driving, which is also occurs with gasoline engines, hydrogen engines emit zero CO2 when in use. (AutoInformed: Japan Inc: Toyota and Hino to Pioneer Light-Duty Fuel Cell Electric Trucks with Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, 3000 Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cells Sold in California)

Combustion in hydrogen engines occurs at a faster rate than in gasoline engines, resulting in a characteristic of good responsiveness. While having excellent environmental performance, hydrogen engines also have the potential to relay the “fun of driving, including through sounds and vibrations,” Toyota said.

Toyota, of course, has engaged in the innovation of engine technology for decades. Also, it is applying in production vehicles the technologies that it has continued to refine through its participation in motorsports, with the GR Yaris launched last September being one example. Toyota intends to apply the  safety technologies and know-how that it has accumulated through the development of fuel cell vehicles and the commercialization of the Mirai.

*In cooperation with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.