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Wednesday, 6th November 2013
In Events In Japan,
Toyota set to unveil fuel cell car
Toyota has announced it will be unveiling its latest concept vehicle for a fuel cell powered car at the Tokyo Motor show, which kicks off later this month on November 20th
According to the automobile giant, the four-seater sedan is capable of travelling for 500 kilometres before its hydrogen gas tanks require charging - a process which only takes three minutes to achieve full capacity.
It is expected that the vehicle will be commercially available by 2015, when Toyota predicts there will be enough hydrogen filling stations in Europe, Japan and the US to sustain consumer interest.
Fuel cell powered cars are considered an important development in the transportation industry as they produce only a small amount of water vapour and operate on renewable hydrogen gas.
However, the high expense of having an environmental vehicle has hindered progress on new technologies.
Honda, for example, already produces a commercial fuel cell car called FCX Clarity, but the vehicle has only been sold on a very small scale and to limited markets so far.
The Tokyo Motor Show will also see Toyota unveil a prototype taxi for the Japanese market that runs on a hybrid of renewable and non-renewable fuel sources and has an electronic sliding door to cater to the wheelchair bound or those with baby strollers.
A statement from the carmaker indicated it is hoping to cash in on an expected surge in demand for transportation ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games, which will be held in Tokyo.
Those interested in attending the Tokyo Motor Show during their time in the city can obtain a visitors pass for the days between November 23rd and December 1st. The event is taking place at the Tokyo Big Sight and tickets on the day cost 1,500 yen (£9.50).
Related news stories:
Applications for Tokyo Marathon 'up 68%' (25th September 2008)
Toyota enjoys strong global sales to remain largest auto maker (30th October 2012)
Toyota to enter Japan's small car market (29th September 2010)
Toyota comes under further recall criticism (21st May 2010)
Toyota shareholders sue troubled firm (22nd March 2010)