If you are familiar with Toyota’s FCV Concept that was revealed at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, you won’t be surprised with the design of the production model, which stays remarkably close to the study.
Toyota has revealed the exterior design and Japan pricing of its hydrogen fuel cell sedan which will launch in Japan before April 2015 and in the summer of 2015 in the U.S. and Europe.
The fuel-cell-powered sedan will go on sale in Japan at Toyota and Toyopet dealerships at a price of approximately 7 million yen ($68,690), excluding consumption tax.Toyota says that sales will be limited initially to regions where hydrogen refueling infrastructure is being developed.
Prices for the U.S. and Europe have not yet been decided. More detailed information, including specifications, exact prices and sales targets, will be announced later.
Toyota has been developing fuel cell vehicles for more than 20 years and began leasing the FCHV fuel cell SUV in 2002 in Japan and the U.S. on a limited basis. The company says that significant improvements have been made to the fuel cell system since then, with the new fuel cell sedan featuring performance similar to a gasoline engine vehicle, including a cruising range of approximately 700 km (435 miles) and a refueling time of roughly three minutes. The big advantage is that it only emits water vapor produced by the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen when driven.
By Dan Mihalascu
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