For years, both we and most car companies have believed that the future was exclusively about plugs and batteries. But just when we thought we had all the answers, Toyota comes along and changes the questions, just like that, with the elegance of someone who doesn’t need to shout to be noticed, the Japanese brand launches a big proposal: what if the real future isn’t electric… but hydrogen? We are obsessed with charging time, kilometres, and range, and now Toyota wants to change the direction of sustainability toward something else. But… is the move working out for them?
The electric car is not the only solution
As we said, Toyota wanted to make an unexpected turn that will change the way it relates to sustainability (and to its competitors), and now they want to bet everything on hydrogen while other brands continue their tireless struggle to find lithium batteries that are more powerful, more reliable, and last longer.
Toyota’s bet: hydrogen
Toyota’s proposal isn’t just switching to hydrogen-powered vehicles and that’s it. It has presented its third generation of hydrogen fuel cells, and everything seems to be going smoothly!
A much smaller and lighter system that lasts up to twice as long as its predecessor, allowing an estimated range of about 770 kilometres on a single tank… isn’t it normal then that everyone is watching Toyota?
Well, we’re going to give you even better news: the new design doesn’t require as much maintenance as the previous one, nor as much as EVs, so it’s one more step toward continuing to be the leaders in reliability in all motor surveys. In addition, with the new technologies implemented in its development, they will reduce costs, making these vehicles much more competitively priced in the future. Is there any bad news for Toyota?
Sales
It’s true that in 2024 only 1,778 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles were sold, which represents a 55% drop compared to the previous year. However, far from being discouraged, Toyota has doubled its efforts because they have a very clear goal: to build a society based on hydrogen. And like any disruptive innovation, it must proceed little by little, moving slowly and steadily. Toyota wants to continue down this path and plans to present these third-generation hydrogen cells by 2026, so we’re pretty close to seeing a shift toward the future very soon.
Hydrogen steals the show
It’s not just Toyota thinking about cars, hydrogen is positioning itself as a clear winner for a sustainable future. Toyota’s fuel cell, for example, is already being applied in construction equipment, trains, trucks, and stationary generators. This way, it can work in environments where electric vehicles can’t compete, especially in remote or sensitive areas where emissions must be zero.
Why hydrogen emissions are zero
Very simple: these cells move the vehicles based on a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, making the result of the equation water vapor. And water vapor doesn’t pollute, so we’d be talking about a 100% clean technology, easy to refuel, and with great range.
Any problems with hydrogen?
Infrastructure, without a doubt. Still, being a technology that is now being implemented, there aren’t a large number of refuelling stations, because also, refuelling hydrogen requires large containers and stations to have a useful and large-scale network. So, this technology would still need some time before it could take off and work perfectly.
The end of electric cars?
Not everything is certain in the future of the automobile, but electric cars marked the bridge toward sustainability. However, hydrogen could be the next leap. Clean, durable, and much more practical, if they manage to lower its price and implement large service stations for refuelling, we would be talking about a strategic shift for possibly all brands. Is the future plug-in? Well, maybe it just needs a tank and a moment to think!
