Today, almost all global automakers are actively developing vehicles that run on environmentally friendly fuel. Experts say that in 15-20 years the world will completely switch to this type of transport. So far, Toyota has retained leadership in this matter. After the release of the famous "Primus", the Japanese decided to go further and develop another environmentally friendly car - Toyota Mirai with a hydrogen engine. In today's article, we will consider all the features of this new product, and also list all the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen machines.
Characteristic
Toyota Mirai is one of the first Japanese-made sedans that the company decided to produce on a production scale. By the way, the decision to name this Mirai model was quite justified, because in Japanese the word means “Clean Future”.
The manufacturer claims that the first serial hydrogen Toyota will differ from its counterparts in a large range, which will be 480 kilometers. This is quite enough for everyday use within the city, as well as for family trips over long distances. But as for long trips, it will not be possible to make them on such a car yet. And here the question is not in the reliability of the design (as always, the Japanese made the car efficiently and “for centuries”), but in the absence of the necessary gas stations. But we will talk about this a little later.
Interesting fact
It is worth noting that the Mirai is not the first car in the world with a hydrogen engine. Toyota has been developing hybrid car models since 1997. It was then that the world public saw the first car with a hydrogen engine in the form of a concept SUV model FCHV. However, the Japanese did not dare to launch it into large-scale serial production. Most often, this jeep could be found in government agencies and organizations that were involved in testing this type of transport. By the way, the hydrogen engine combines BMW and Toyota. The Germans signed a contract with Japanese engineers and plan to create a new environmentally friendly BMW Hydrogen 7 Series sedan until 2020.
Pros of a hydrogen car
For starters, the benefits. To begin with, a hydrogen-fueled engine does not emit any pollutants, unlike diesel and gasoline. It is worth noting the low cost of operating this type of transport. The fuel itself (hydrogen) can be obtained both on small and large scales. This will significantly stabilize the situation with constantly changing fuel prices and more rationally distribute energy resources in the world.
What are the downsides of a hydrogen fuel engine?
Now let's talk about the shortcomings. The main disadvantage of this type of transport is that the hydrogen engine (including Toyota FCV) is more explosive than classic diesel and gasoline analogues. This is due to the special chemical composition of hydrogen. By the way, in addition to explosiveness, it is highly volatile. This feature greatly complicates the transportation and refueling of cars with hydrogen. Experts also say that servicing a similar installation will be more costly than for example repairing a diesel ICE (due to the small number of workers who know a lot about this field). And, of course, the lack of hydrogen gas stations. There are only a few of them in the world, so it’s very difficult to use such cars now (all the more so since you can refuel such a car only with the help of special equipment).
Supply Issues
The main problem of hydrogen cars is the lack of gas stations at which they could be refueled. That is why electric cars are more relevant to the world, since they are charged from an ordinary outlet and even on the go, if there is a solar battery on the roof. But the production of hydrogen stations is already gaining momentum. Already aware of plans to build 20 such gas stations in California. If sales grow, the number of gas stations will double. By the way, this state was chosen for a reason - it was in California that Toyota hydrogen sales would begin. But we will talk about sales at the end of the article, but for now let's look at the exterior of the new product.
Design
The appearance of the new Toyota Mirai is very impressive. A massive aggressive “front end” with a harsh wide bumper and slanted headlights immediately catches your eye. The radiator grill is perhaps the smallest and most insignificant element in the exterior.
But even on such a small piece of plastic, the Japanese managed to place their signature emblem, made in a chrome style. The machine has a good glazing area. This is especially true of the windshield. The driver will not feel the "dead zones", since all the events around are now visible in full view. The body has both angular and smooth, aerodynamic features. All this makes the appearance of the sedan very fresh, modern and unique.
Interior
The inside of the car is like part of a spaceship - a mass of buttons, screens, sensors and all sorts of other things. Interestingly, the Japanese did not dare to spend money on the development of two interior layout options - for the European and domestic markets. They solved the problem with the rearrangement of the steering wheel by placing all the important information devices in the middle of the torpedo.
The panel itself is placed right next to the windshield and stretched across its entire width. Further away is a massive on-board computer, which is equipped with a built-in navigator function. Below it there is another display. And they are separated by two wide ducts. The same ones are duplicated on the sides of the mirrors, only with a chrome trim in the corner. The steering wheel is also equipped with remote control buttons. There is no gear knob in the cabin - most likely, a variator or automatic transmission is used. The speakers are located in the doors, as well as the power window control buttons. The steering wheel has a comfortable grip. In general, the interior layout is very ergonomic. And even despite the mass of buttons (especially since half of them are touch-sensitive), it is not overloaded with unnecessary elements and to some extent seems ascetic.
Specifications
Toyota released a car with a hydrogen engine, which has a large power reserve. The power plant, according to manufacturers, will have 153 horsepower, which is quite enough for a car of this class. The Japanese do not talk about other engines, and, most likely, only one modification of the novelty with a 153-strong environmentally friendly unit will enter the market. The hydrogen engine (Toyota Mirai 2015 release) runs on special fuel cells. Inside the latter, a reaction takes place in which hydrogen and oxygen take part. As a result of chemical interaction, powerful energy is generated that feeds the electric motor.
Dynamics and operating costs
The manufacturer says that the dynamic characteristics of a Toyota with a hydrogen engine are no different from their gasoline counterparts. Acceleration from zero to "hundreds" is estimated at 9 seconds. At the same time, engineers note a low cost of travel.
The price of refueling a tank for 1 kilometer will be only 10 cents. Thus, in order to drive a hundred kilometers, you need to spend only 10 dollars. And you can refuel a car in just 5 minutes.
How does a hydrogen engine work?
Surely each of us was thinking about the principle of operation of this unit. Well, let's look at how the hydrogen engine actually works.
The main driving force of these machines is an electrochemical generator (a certain fuel cell). The Japanese call it FC Stack. A reaction occurs inside the electrochemical generator, which results in the oxidation of hydrogen. It is during this period that the necessary energy is generated, which is then redirected to a compact battery. The latter performs the function of powering the electric motor, which drives the machine. In what form does the hydrogen engine generate waste? “Toyota Mirai” is not in vain called an environmentally friendly car, since not toxic gases, but ordinary water come from its exhaust pipe .
All this is very good, but there is a force that impedes the development of this type of transport. The main problem is that the processes of manufacturing fuel for hydrogen cars are currently underdeveloped and require large financial costs. Moreover, when creating hydrogen, such components as coal and methane are involved. They pollute the atmosphere very much, and therefore there is no sense in using such engines for the sake of “preserving the environment”. Of course, there is no waste from the combustion of this fuel (pure water), but in order to cook it, you need to significantly spoil the atmosphere with dirty emissions. Therefore, more and more specialists are looking for a replacement for the current ICE in solar panels.
By the way, hydrogen does not belong to any unique type of fuel that can be used on only one type of engine. Studies have shown that this product is quite feasible to use on classic engines with internal combustion. However, after such a reaction there are consequences. The fact is that hydrogen during combustion in an internal combustion engine emits only 1/3 of the energy that it would produce on a specialized unit. True, the engineers managed to fix this shortcoming. Thanks to the modified ignition system, the efficiency of such engines does not decrease, but, on the contrary, increases almost 1.5 times from the usual one, which makes the operation of this fuel more favorable and reasonable from an environmental and financial point of view.
Nevertheless, troubles were noticed not only in the field of efficiency. And if the engineers managed to increase the efficiency by improving the ignition system, then they can not cope with problems such as the high combustion temperature in the chamber, burnout of pistons and valves. By the way, during prolonged operation, hydrogen is able to react with other components of the motor, including lubricant. And without it, the engine wears out very quickly. In addition, due to its volatility, hydrogen can penetrate the exhaust manifold and ignite there. As for rotary internal combustion engines, due to their simple design and large distance between the collectors, they are more favorable for using such fuel as the main one. On this, the question of how the hydrogen engine works can be considered closed.
About cost
According to the manufacturer, the start of sales of Toyota Mirai cars will take place in the spring of 2015. At first, the novelty will be available only in the domestic market, and in the summer it will appear on the European and American markets. The starting price of the hydrogen Toyota is 57.5 thousand dollars. In addition, the company offers to purchase this car on credit with a monthly payment of 500 US dollars. A bonus will be the opportunity to refuel a car for free throughout the year at a gas station in California.
So far, the Japanese Toyota has no competitors among hydrogen cars. At least, this will be until 2016. The fact is that in March 2016, the new Honda FCV hydrogen car entered the market. But how popular it will be, we will not predict, but for now, we will wait until the start of sales of the new Toyota Mirai.
Conclusion
So, we found out why it is so special and how the hydrogen engine works. Toyota is one of the first automakers to seriously consider launching its “environmentally friendly product” into mass production. However, until the problem with gas stations and a cheaper way to produce hydrogen is resolved , the company is unlikely to expect much success in the sale of such machines.