Toyota Is Working On A Hydrogen-Powered Corolla Cross

The fast-approaching electric era has coaxed the world's automakers into introducing a slew of electric vehicles that cater to changing legislation andmarket demands. There are, however, a few companies that remain hesitant to commit to a fully-electric lineup and continue to explore different avenues that lead to an emissions-free future.

One such carmaker is Toyota. Yes, it offers a variety of hybrids and, yes, it has also committed tointroducing as many as 16 EVs在未来几年。但这并不意味着company is fully on-board with the idea. When asked why Toyotaisn't following in Honda's footstepsand aiming for a fully-electric lineup, company director Shigeki Terashi said "it's too early to concentrate on one option."

One of the many ideas Toyota is exploring is hydrogen. The carmaker already offers the Mirai in certain markets and has already demonstrated the alternative fuel's usability in a motorsport setting. Now, the automotive giant is experimenting with hydrogen power in the more conventionalCorolla Cross.

Toyota has set the ball rolling on commercial hydrogen engine vehicles and the Corolla Cross is just one of many test beds. Like the race car seen here, the crossover is powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and is equipped with two compressed gas hydrogen tanks, sited under the floor.

As technology improves on the racetrack, Toyota will continue to make advances in the road car too. There are several challenges facing the company, however. In an attempt to improve the travel range of the Corolla, the team is hard at work attempting to install liquid hydrogen.

This has several benefits. Not only will this bring hydrogen driving distances to an ICE-powered car, but it will also greatly reduce the size of hydrogen filling stations. The reason for this increased range is down to the fact that liquid hydrogen has a higher energy density than its gaseous counterpart.