Readiness of Hydrogen Engines for Commercial Sale Remains Elusive in Motor Racing

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced its entry into the Super Taikyu Series 2021 Powered by Hankook Round 3 NAPAC Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race, scheduled for May 21st to 23rd, with a hydrogen-powered race car. The car, developed by the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team, marks a significant step towards carbon neutrality for the automotive giant.

The hydrogen engine, at the heart of the race car, emits nearly no CO2 when in operation, making it a promising path towards carbon neutrality. Akio Toyoda, JAMA chairman and President of Toyota, emphasised the potential of hydrogen engines in achieving carbon neutrality for Japan, fully utilising the country's strengths.

The quick burn rate of hydrogen results in high pressure and temperatures, posing a technical challenge in heat management. However, the car will be carrying a large number of measuring instruments, transforming the race into a verification trial for collecting data rather than a competition of winning or losing.

Akio's decision to participate in the 24-hour endurance race stems from his desire to make motorsports sustainable and move towards carbon neutrality. He also aims to prove the safety of hydrogen engines by driving in a race himself. The hydrogen fuel for the engine will be green hydrogen derived from renewable energy, produced at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture.

The car will be based on the Corolla Sport and employ the Super Taikyu-honed GR Yaris 4WD drivetrain. Despite the technical challenges, the hydrogen engine's output, according to bench specs, is at the level obtainable by gasoline engines. However, balancing maximum output and stable combustion means the potential of the hydrogen engine will not be fully performed in the coming race.

Akio expects the car to be in the pit often during the 24-hour race due to potential fuel efficiency issues. He has only driven the car on gravel so far and hasn't experienced it on a circuit. The car will be raced by ORC ROOKIE Racing, a motorsports privateer team, which was commissioned by Toyota to develop the engine.

The hydrogen engine's combustion speed is eight times faster than that of a gasoline engine, offering advantages such as low-speed torque almost immediately after the get-go and torque-strong response. Akio, who also introduced himself as "Akio Toyoda. I'm also Morizo. And I'm the president of Toyota too," at a Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) press conference, announced the hydrogen engine to demonstrate that internal-combustion engines can be useful in achieving carbon neutrality and to turn them into a platform for mechanics and private garages.

The development of the hydrogen engine is part of Toyota's ongoing technological advancements in the field. President Sato explained that he had been researching hydrogen engines since around 2016, but it was only recently that he realised they could use technologies they had on hand to give their efforts form in the shape of a car. The car's development was accelerated due to Akio's living in an "evacuee life" at a training center during the COVID-19 pandemic, and various car divisions bringing vehicles to the training center for testing.

The entry of the hydrogen-powered race car into the Super Taikyu Series 2021 Powered by Hankook Round 3 NAPAC Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race marks a significant milestone in Toyota's pursuit of carbon neutrality and sustainable motorsports. As Akio stated, "We want to show that hydrogen engines can be used in motorsports, and we also want to demonstrate their safety."