Toyota remains adamant that a variety of emissions-reducing technologies will be important for the automotive industry. One, in particular, will be helpful for people who like to drive fast: hydrogen combustion engines.
The automaker believes that the technology could help keep internal combustion engine sports cars alive in an electric world. In fact, Masahito Watanabe, the head of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division, says that complete electrification is not a priority for the sub-brand at this time.
“We still think the internal combustion engine has some potential,” Watanabe told Autocar. “We don’t want to give up. It’s not over just yet, because if you look at the internal combustion engine, there’s still hydrogen combustion that can be a part of that zero-emission line-up, so I think that’s going to continue.”
Read: Toyota Is Developing Hydrogen Powertrains For The Land Cruiser And The HiAce
However, he admitted that a major hurdle stands in the way of the technology: infrastructure. Like any new technology, people who want to drive a hydrogen vehicle lack easy access to filling stations.
But Gazoo Racing will get some help on that score, in the form of a Hydrogen Factory Europe. A new division of Toyota Motor Europe, it will be tasked with accelerating the commercialization of hydrogen technology and systems.
The automaker says that it believes the continent will soon be one of the largest hydrogen markets in the world, thanks to government investments and growing interest from the private sector. Toyota says that the technology will be useful for heavy-duty transportation, like trucks, coaches, shipping, as well as sports cars.
“What we want to do in the end is provide as many options as possible to our customers,” said Watanabe. “So we will continue to develop the hydrogen internal combustion engine as part of that.”
That means that, in addition to hydrogen combustion engines, Gazoo Racing will also develop electric, hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles. However, progress on hydrogen engine vehicles is going well, as the technology has already taken a GR Corolla to the finish line in a 24-hour race in the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series this year.
