Hydrogen power, but not as we know it: Toyota wants to save the combustion engine with hydrogen fuel

The Toyota HiAce just became a very important litmus test for the brand’s future, with the van becoming the primary test-bed for the implementation of a hydrogen combustion engine.

Revealed globally today, and shown to Australian media this week, the hydrogen-powered combustion HiAce prototype uses a mixture of parts from existing models like the Toyota Mirai and even the Tundra pick-up.

While the prototype is just that at the moment, Toyota hopes it will be able to use a pilot program to gather feedback from real-world use and ultimately create another option in its “global multi-pathway approach to decarbonisation”.

Read More About Toyota HiAce

A better kind of electric car? Toyota still sees big potential in hydrogen The hydrogen economy starts here: Hydrogen EVs a step closer for Australia with Toyota, Hyundai and energy partners' infrastructure announcement Going Global: Australian hydrogen car company H2X Global reveals hydrogen-powered van alongside engineering partner KTM

Currently, the HiAce prototype uses a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine borrowed from the Toyota Tundra and overseas versions of the 300 Series LandCruiser, while the three hydrogen tanks come courtesy of the Toyota Mirai FCEV.

Sounds impressive, but without further tuning and adjustment to find a suitable set-up (yet) for the engine in the 12-seater, it makes just 120kW and 354Nm.

At the media announcement and preview drive Toyota Hydrogen Factory President Mitsumasa Yamagata (visiting Australia from Japan for the announcement), told CarsGuide the current output and tune is as such so it can be tested safely.

The Toyota HiAce just became a very important litmus test for the brand’s future.

The inside of the van looks completely normal, aside from some testing and monitoring equipment on the dash and a small data device in the rear. The huge hydrogen tank underneath the floor and 3.5-litre V6 are only visible if you go looking for them in the engine bay or underneath.

This is likely how seven companies and organisations will receive their hydrogen HiAces for testing as part of Toyota’s pilot program - the brand has already confirmed construction firm CPB Contractors will be the first to use the van to transport workers to one of its project sites.

The company will give daily feedback and data to Toyota to help the brand with the van’s development, of which there will likely be plenty more to come.

The Hiace is becoming the primary test-bed for the implementation of a hydrogen combustion engine.

Aside from the low power output, for example, the van’s range is currently less than 200km, according to Yamagata. Toyota hopes to increase this by maximising the efficiency of the engine, likely with hybridisation, something the brand is not only famously familiar with, but also proven with this engine.

Toyota’s primary reason for exploring the use of hydrogen as a near-zero emission fuel source is fairly simple. The engines it has the infrastructure to manufacture en masse only need small changes, primarily the injectors, to be able to run on hydrogen.

This adds a new branch to Toyota’s ‘multi-pathway approach’ without needing to shift manufacturing focus away from engines onto a new technology - though it does require massive investment and ramp-up of hydrogen production and infrastructure.

The hydrogen-powered combustion HiAce prototype uses a mixture of parts from existing models like the Mirai and the Tundra.

Toyota Australia President and CEO, Matthew Callachor, told journalists the Australian government and private sector have both contributed massively - the former to the tune of almost $6.3 billion - in hydrogen industry development.

For example, Toyota has its own hydrogen production on-site at its HQ in Altona, in Melbourne's south-west, powered by solar arrays in the complex, while hydrogen is also being produced in the Gippsland region of Victoria, albeit with grid power.