Toyota City, Japan, May 27, 2023―Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) will enter the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2023 Round 2 NAPAC Fuji SUPER TEC 24 Hours Race, to be held from May 26 to 28, with the #32 ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 Concept (hydrogen-powered Corolla) running on liquid hydrogen. It is the first time in the world that a vehicle will race with liquid hydrogen fuel.
- Liquid hydrogen-powered Corolla
Making improvements with agility in the two months since missing Suzuka
The liquid hydrogen-powered Corolla was scheduled to compete for the first time at Round 1 Suzuka Super Taikyu 5 Hours Race held on March 18 and 19. However, during a private test run at Fuji International Speedway on March 8, a vehicle fire occurred due to a hydrogen leak from a gaseous hydrogen pipe in the engine compartment. As the vehicle could not be recovered in time, Toyota was forced to abandon the race.
In the two months since missing Suzuka, the design of the hydrogen piping that caused the vehicle fire has been changed, with safety as the highest priority. These changes included (1) moving the hydrogen piping away from hot areas, and (2) installing safety covers on the hydrogen piping joints to prevent loosening and to catch and lead hydrogen to detectors in the event of a leak.
We have also succeeded in reducing the vehicle weight by over 50 kg over the past two months, leading to it exceeding the lap times of the hydrogen engine-equipped Corolla when it first competed in May 2021 using gaseous hydrogen fuel.
We have continued development and made improvements with agility through our motorsports activities with the support of our many partners in taking on this challenge, and this has made it possible for us to enter the Fuji 24 Hours Race.
- Improvements to hydrogen piping in the engine compartment
| Advantages of Liquid Hydrogen | Challenges with Liquid Hydrogen |
|---|---|
| Increased energy density and cruising range | Must be kept at temperatures lower than -253℃ |
| Smaller hydrogen stations (can be filled in the pit) | Preventing hydrogen from evaporating due to heat in the tank |
| Doesn’t need to be pressurized, allowing for multiple vehicles to be refilled in succession | Fuel pump technology that can function at -253℃ |
| Joint Research Technology | University |
|---|---|
| Superconducting motor technology for automotive use liquid hydrogen pumps | Kyoto University, University of Tokyo, Waseda University |
| Centrifugal pump technology for automotive use liquid hydrogen | Waseda University |
Toyota will continue to work on further efforts with its partners, including not only corporations and local governments but universities as well, to realize a carbon-neutral society.
It will also continue to work with its partners to increase options based on its multi-pathway approach to meet the needs of customers around the world.
| *1 |
|
|---|---|
| *2 | Time of hydrogen flow after attaching the hydrogen supply nozzle |
“Achieving zero, and adding new value beyond it”
As part of efforts to pass our beautiful “³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Planet” to the next generation, Toyota has identified and is helping to solve issues faced by individuals and overall society, which Toyota calls “Achieving Zero,” hoping to help reduce the negative impacts caused by these issues to people and the environment to zero. Additionally, Toyota is also looking “Beyond Zero” to create and provide greater value by continuing to diligently seek ways to improve lives and society for the future.
- About Beyond Zero
Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.
- SDGs Initiatives
