Toyota's Hydrogen Mission on the Racetrack
Key Ideas
- Despite setbacks, Toyota continues to push hydrogen technology forward at the Super Taikyu Series, aiming to enhance range and pump durability.
- New liquid hydrogen technologies like hydrogen-absorbing alloys and a branching device for refueling showcase advancements towards a hydrogen society.
- Efforts to store recovered hydrogen in absorbent alloys to generate electricity demonstrate the potential applications beyond racing, including in buildings for enhanced energy efficiency.
- Toyota's commitment to hydrogen extends beyond racing as they envision a future where hydrogen plays a key role in urban refueling stations.
The 2024 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series Empowered by BRIDGESTONE took place in Hita, Japan, featuring the liquid hydrogen-powered Corolla by ROOKIE Racing. Despite facing challenges like power system issues and brake problems, the team aimed to enhance range and pump durability in the race. Toyota's engineers worked on new hydrogen-related projects, including storage and refueling technologies. The race introduced hydrogen-absorbing alloys to collect hydrogen efficiently and a branching device for refueling in liquid or gaseous form. Additionally, a system to store recovered hydrogen in alloys to generate electricity was tested. These innovations not only impact racing performance but also hold promise for broader applications in energy efficiency. Toyota's long-term vision includes incorporating hydrogen technology into everyday urban refueling stations, showcasing their commitment to advancing towards a hydrogen society.