Tech powering the Mirai car is also in an America’s Cup chase boat.

THE country’s top new car seller has reiterated intent to pursue a hydrogen dream – but on water as well as the road.

Latest comment from Toyota New Zealand about development of hydrogen fuel cell-powered foiling chase boats to be used in the next America’s Cup comes eight months on from the initial announcement.

It comes in the wake of an ambition announced last year to trial its only hydrogen fuel cell production vehicle, the Mirai, in Auckland.

The latter programme is running late but still seems set to go ahead as the distributor has shipped in several latest-generation Mirai cars. The example in the photograph was on a transporter seen leaving Palmerston North last month.

The timing of today’s announcement from the Palmerston North brand about it having secured fuel cell modules from Japan to run in a prototype chase boat is interesting timing.

Recently Toyota Japan, having invested huge resources into hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, also signalled it was shifting its ambitions away from motoring.

Fuel cell powertrains are effectively electric, bur rather than using a large battery they are fed by hydrogen being used to create a chemical reaction that generates high voltage.

The chase boat was first announced last June by America’s Cup defender Team New Zealand, which Toyota NZ heavily funds, and is reportedly in the final stages of a complex fit out prior to its launch next month. The video made by Team NZ relate more.

The craft in final form is envisaged to have four hydrogen tanks stored in each hull of the catamaran, with electric motors built into their foils and rudder.

A publication, Sailing World, says Team NZ’s prototype foiling boat is 10 metres in length, and approximately 5200kg displacement. Its cruising speed will be 30-35 knots with a top speed of around 50 knots and will carry six crew members with a range of between 150-180km generating approximately 440kW peak power via a 400V DC system powered by the fuel cell.

TNZ says the modular fuel cell system it has supplied can be used in various applications - trucks, buses, ships, and stationary generators.

This announcement comes at the end of fresh international debate about the worthiness of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, with reminder that while Toyota and Hyundai/Kia remain committed, other brands that previously voiced commitment and invested decades of effort have backed away. Those that have u-turned include Honda, Mercedes Benz and General Motors. Jaguar Land Rover appears to have also lost interest.

In latest comment, TNZ chief executive officer Neeraj Lala announced corporate intent to explore and supporting the advancement of hydrogen technology and development nationally.

“As we continue to focus on increasing electrification in our light vehicle fleet, we are looking to explore the applications of hydrogen technology outside of the automotive industry,” Lala said in supplied comment.

“This is not a distraction from BEV application in our light vehicle fleet, it is to ensure our ongoing business resiliency beyond just mobility through alternative business opportunities.”

Toyota Motor Corporation has developed the fuel cell module to help realise a hydrogen society through widespread utilisation across a variety of applications including trucks, buses, trains, ships and stationary generators.

“We have strong support from Toyota Motor Corporation to explore a variety of commercial partnerships to advance hydrogen technology in New Zealand,” says Neeraj.

Toyota is committed to providing a diversified range of carbon-neutral technologies to meet the needs of every country and region. New Zealand is an ideal place, with our renewable energy and resourceful culture, to test new ideas and innovate for a better future.”

“We are supporting our long-term partners, Emirates Team New Zealand by supplying them the hydrogen fuel cell system as a way to investigate the different applications of this carbon neutral technology,” says Neeraj. “We have secured from Toyota Motor Corp. two prototype units for the ETNZ trial that were still in their pre-production phase.

“We will also continue to explore other corporate partnerships to further popularise this technology beyond the automotive light vehicle industry in New Zealand.”

“Toyota will seek to explore a number of Hydrogen Projects that are in the early phases in New Zealand as an active member of the New Zealand Hydrogen Council,” Lala said.

“As New Zealand looks to be a major player in green hydrogen, we are keen to work with the New Zealand Hydrogen Council, our other partners such as Mitsui, and energy supply partners, Hiringa and Obayashi Corporation to continue the advancement of hydrogen technology.”

The local arm has reminded that Toyota has been developing the fuel cell technology for more than 20 years and has been leading the industry with its commercialisation of the Mirai and fuel cell buses, and forklifts for practical use.

“Toyota has set challenging targets for CO2 reduction globally, and we are taking proactive measures to promote the development and sale of electrified light vehicles,” Lala said.

“We are striving to share technologies and systems as it is our belief that environmental technologies should not be monopolised, while helping to contribute to the reduction of C02 emissions through becoming a technology systems supplier.”