Toyota Motor Corp is testing out liquid hydrogen as an alternative fuel source for its next generation of vehicles.

The Japanese automaker entered a race car powered by liquid hydrogen into a 24-hour endurance race in central Japan to test its new technology. It was also the first liquid hydrogen vehicle to participate in an official race anywhere in the world.

Toyota thinks hydrogen will be a better alternative to fossil fuels amid tightening environmental regulations as hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide when burnt. Hydrogen power could also be an alternative to BEVs as it is one of the most abundant elements and can potentially provide the same convenience of refueling internal combustion vehicles currently offer. That is if logistics and hydrogen manufacturing issues are sorted out.

The Japanese brand has already mass-produced a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the form of the Toyota Mirai and hybrid cars that are more efficient in cutting their carbon footprint than just electric vehicles. 

Liquid hydrogen Corolla

The Japanese automaker entered the Fuji Super TEC 24-hour race with a liquid hydrogen-powered Toyota GR Corolla. It essentially used an ICE engine with few modified components to accept the new fuel.

It was initially supposed to debut at the Suzuku Super Taikyu 5-Hour race held on March 18 to 19, but a fire broke out due to a hydrogen leak from a gaseous hydrogen pipe in the engine compartment.

The piping was then changed by moving it away from the hot areas in the engine bay and by 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.

Aside from this, Toyota reduced the vehicle's weight by another 50kg over its initial 1,700-kilogram version leading to faster lap times compared to its previous outing.

Another caveat to this setup, though, is the need to store liquid hydrogen at temperatures lower than minus 253 Celsius. The hardware, such as fuel pumps and storage tanks, needed to maintain this operating temperature is the next great hurdle in development.

Toyota is still testing the liquid hydrogen system to see if it can be safe and viable for everyday road users. Toyota believes it could be the next big thing, possibly even replacing electric vehicle technology if proven reliable. 

Do you think liquid hydrogen vehicles have a chance of becoming mainstream?

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