Aussie trial central to Toyota H2-ICE program

TOYOTA says the Australian market will play a critical role in determining the success of its hydrogen internal combustion program, an initiative that was officially launched locally over the weekend with a fleet of seven HiAce Commuter H2 models.

Now three years in the making, the international pilot program will form yet another avenue of Toyota’s multipronged approach to vehicle decarbonisation, the Japanese-built HiAce Commuter H2 to provide important feedback to head office based on its use in a variety of settings.

Speaking to media gathered for the launch of the program in Altona, Victoria, on Friday, Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley said several fleet operators will offer insights into the vehicle’s real-world use, the data contributing to information already sourced by Toyota engineers in testing locations including Australia’s hot red centre.

“Ultimately, the market will determine the outcome (and) what we are presenting today is a first that offers yet another alternative to Australian buyers,” said Mr Hanley.

“The synergies, cost efficiencies, the carryover technology, our know-how and a reliable supply chain make this another compelling reason Australians will be able to afford to come on the journey towards decarbonisation.

“And that is the critically important fact here – offering choice and compelling, affordable alternatives means we can offer a means for Australian buyers to accelerate along that journey. Hydrogen offers a lot of benefits that BEVs simply cannot in the market right now.

“Australians use their cars for a variety of reasons … and BEVs aren’t right for everyone. They will play a role, and we are certainly not opposed to BEVs … but Australians need a choice, and today you are seeing a prototype that shows how dedicated this company is in delivering that choice as part of this decarbonisation journey.”

The sentiment was echoed by Toyota Australia senior manager of vehicle evaluations and regulations, Ray Munday, who told journalists Australia offers an ideal test bed for the development of such technologies.

“For commercial vehicles, Australia is seen as an ideal place to develop these vehicles to then be suitable for the rest of the world,” he explained.

“We have tested this car in the centre of Australia, and we have tested it in other areas as well. It has very flexible usage – because we are using the existing internal combustion engine technology, there are fewer blind spots of new technology (to overcome).

“Again, there are pluses and minuses to every technology, but (H2-ICE) has the advantage of (being able to operate under) high load and in a very wide set of environmental conditions.”

Beyond proving the capabilities of the vehicle itself, Toyota is also working to address the infrastructure network critical to enabling the success of another fuel type.

Last week, Toyota Australia joined Hyundai Motor Company Australia, Pacific Energy and Ampol in signing a memorandum of understanding to co-develop a hydrogen refuelling network in the ACT.

The goal of the MOU is to combine the expertise and capabilities of each of the partners to help develop hydrogen refuelling stations for H2-ICE and H2 FCEV vehicles in Canberra and beyond.

As reported by GoAutoNews Premium, Toyota Australia president and CEO Matthew Callachor said the MOU is another step in expanding the company’s role within the hydrogen economy.

“Since 2018, Toyota has been expanding our hydrogen capability in Australia, first with local trials of our Mirai FCEV sedan, and then with the establishment of Victoria’s first hydrogen production, storage, and refuelling facility,” he said.

“This month, we announced plans to locally assemble and distribute the EODev GEH2 fuel cell generator in Australia, and this joint collaboration announced today provides further opportunities to explore and grow this vital technology.”