Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota on course to sell fuel cell cars in 2015

Japanese manufacturer claims that it will be ready to begin selling hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by next year.

Toyota claims that it will have full production hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on sale by 2015.

While the main focus for the manufacturer at the Geneva Motor Show was the new Aygo, it revealed that all its plans for the new fuel cell cars were on track and would be available to buy next year.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Speaking to Auto Express, Gerald Killmann, european projects director at Toyota, explained that it would be available across all markets by next year. “In 2015 we will bring the fuel cell vehicle to Japanese market, US and Europe.” But which countries get it in Europe could depend on infrastructure.

The company expects take-up of fuel cell vehicles to be slow to begin with, but is keen to lead the market for the new technology right from the get-go. Toyota is hoping to emulate the success it had in the early days of hybrid cars, which saw the Prius become a huge international success – although the company aknowledges that infrastructures issues make popularising fuel-cell vehicles a far harder task that it was with hybrid cars.

The first production car to carry the new powertrain is likely to be very similar to the FCV, which was on show at the maker’s stand. “The FCV is quite close to what we will launch in 2015. Bodyshape as a sedan, it’s clearly visible,“ he said.

But the new car won’t be cheap, with Killman saying that it won’t sell for any less than 10million Yen, which works out at around £58,000 at the current exchange rate.

Despite the many stumbling blocks that appear to be in the way, Toyota believes that sales volumes will pick up within the next ten years. “In the 2020s, there will be significant sales, so we will see volumes of 10,000 per year.”

Killman also confirmed that the brand was working with BMW on research for the second generation of fuel cell vehicles, but that the FCV was a pure Toyota product.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
"BYD, Dacia, MG and Renault are among the most impressive and in-touch car brands in the world"
Opinion - MG3
Opinion

"BYD, Dacia, MG and Renault are among the most impressive and in-touch car brands in the world"

Mike Rutherford is confused as to why so many car manufacturers avoided the 2024 Geneva Motor Show
3 Mar 2024
BMW Isetta-inspired Microlino EV coming to the UK, and we’ve driven it!
Microlino Lite - Geneva front
News

BMW Isetta-inspired Microlino EV coming to the UK, and we’ve driven it!

The tiny Microlino and the new Microlino Lite electric cars have been given the green light for UK sales
1 Mar 2024
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 - front
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

The much-loved Renault 5 is back in action as a brand new electric car. Here's everything you need to know about it...
28 Feb 2024

Most Popular

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”
Opinion - MG4
Opinion

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”

The wave of Chinese cars has arrived in the UK, and Mike Rutherford thinks it’s not about to stop any time soon
17 Mar 2024
New Skoda Epiq electric SUV revives the spirit of the Yeti
Skoda Epiq - front
News

New Skoda Epiq electric SUV revives the spirit of the Yeti

The all-electric Skoda Epiq crossover SUV is set to be fully unveiled next year and is likely to cost around £22,000
15 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: brand new, top-spec VW Tiguan SUV for way less than you think
Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line - front tracking
News

Car Deal of the Day: brand new, top-spec VW Tiguan SUV for way less than you think

The all-new third generation of Volkswagen’s smash hit mid-size SUV is our Car Deal of the Day for 14 March
14 Mar 2024