While most automakers are going “all-in” on Electric Vehicles, Toyota is also keeping an ace up their sleeve in the form of Hydrogen powered platforms.  Despite the uncertainty of battery technology, infrastructure, sustainability, demand and actual “green” benefit of EVs, most automakers are charging “full-steam ahead” on EVs.  This despite the fact that the global push seems to be driven more by special interests and politics, as opposed to free market demand.

Thankfully, not every automaker has succumbed to what some say is an EV mania.  Toyota is still investing in hydrogen technology, developing a hydrogen fuel-cell, turbo charged Corolla Sport endurance race car which will race in round 3 of Japan’s Super Taikyu racing series, 24-hour endurance competition at Fuji Speedway.

Historically the best and most sustainable automotive technology is born of competition on the race track, not through political pressure, so it will be interesting to witness which technology will raise to the top….and why.

Despite the typically unmentioned fact the EVs require energy to charge batteries, usually produced by coal fired powerplants, there is still a slightly more obvious, though also seldom talked about fact that EVs take a long time to recharge.  Consumers are used to using their vehicles for everything from cross-country vacations, business travel, towing and long commutes. A requirement of 6-8 hours to “re-fill” the tank is a huge problem for the vast majority of drivers.

Hydrogen lacks only a huge push and support of the necessary infrastructure.  While the EV mania IS creating an infrastructure for electric vehicles, little has been accomplished for Hydrogen powered cars and trucks, despite the fact that Hydrogen is a cleaner technology that provides more convenience for consumers.

Only time will tell which will win out.  The deck seems to be stacked for EVs but common-sense dictates that perhaps we should all take a closer look at Hydrogen.  Thankfully Toyota still is.