Toyota recently showcased its experimental hydrogen-powered combustion engine technology in the GR Yaris.

The hydrogen fuel, fuel tanks and refuelling process of the experimental vehicle are the same as found in the Mirai, Toyota’s commercially available flagship fuel cell electric vehicle.

However, whilst the Mirai employs chemical reaction in the fuel cells to generate energy, the experimental GR Yaris features an internal combustion engine with hydrogen as the fuel.

While the hydrogen combustion engine technology is still in the early stages of conceptual development and experimentation, which started in 2017 and not yet ready for commercialisation, Toyota’s experimental hydrogen-powered Corolla Sport is already delivering high performance at motorsport events in Japan with almost zero tailpipe emissions.

The hydrogen-powered experimental GR Yaris and the Corolla Sport both feature the same G16E-GTS, 1.6-litre, in-line 3-cylinder, turbocharged engine that is found in the award-winning GR Yaris, but with a modified fuel supply and injection system for use with hydrogen as fuel.

The experimental hydrogen-powered Corolla Sport has already been competing in the Super Taikyu race series in Japan since May this year under the ROOKIE Racing arm of Toyota GAZOO Racing where the team has taken on the challenge to test the experimental hydrogen combustion engine under the harsh environments of motorsport.

Michael Gaynor, Marketing Director for Toyota Ireland commented: “For generations Toyota has spearheaded the low-emissions motoring revolution. With class leading range of self-charging Hybrids vehicles, we have been committed to reducing emissions and edging closer to complete carbon neutrality. With the advancement in hydrogen-powered technology, we believe this will be a game changing innovation for the motoring industry as we know it.

“With innovations such as the Mirai as well as our role in the CaetanoBus trial in Ireland, Toyota is committed to a zero-emissions future. The unveiling of the first hydrogen-powered combustion engine in our widely acclaimed GR Yaris is a brand defining moment and sets us on our path to fufil our brand promise, ‘Built for a Better World’.”

Hydrogen combusts at a faster rate than petrol resulting in good responsiveness while delivering excellent environmental performance. In addition to being extremely clean, hydrogen combustion has the added potential to relay a fun to drive experience with the acoustic and sensory sensations that characterise internal combustion engines.

Towards achieving carbon neutrality, Toyota has been strengthening its efforts, such as by aiming to promote the use of hydrogen through the popularisation of FCEVs and numerous other fuel-cell-powered products. By further refining its hydrogen-engine technologies through motorsports, Toyota intends to aim for the realisation of an even better hydrogen-based society.