Prepared Liquid Hydrogen Vehicle Readies for 24-Hour Competition Following Withdrawal from Suzuka Initial Event
Toyota's Liquid Hydrogen-Powered GR Corolla: A Step Towards a Hydrogen Society
Toyota's ambitious project to create a hydrogen-powered race car is moving forward, despite a recent setback during testing. The fire incident that occurred during a test run at Fuji Speedway on March 8 has not deterred the team, who are determined to create a viable option for the mobility society of the future.
The fire was caused by a loosened joint in the hydrogen supply piping, which led to a hydrogen leak and ignition. However, the incident serves as a testament to the safety measures in place, as the car's structure remained intact, and the fire did not lead to catastrophic damage or explosion. This demonstrates the potential of hydrogen as a safe energy source when properly managed.
President Sato, speaking at a press conference at Suzuka Circuit, described the team's motivation as they work to prepare for next month's 24-hour race. He was joined by Kawasaki Heavy Industries President Yasuhiko Hashimoto and Iwatani Corporation President Hiroshi Majima. Despite the setback, the team plans to keep moving forward with continuous improvement.
The GR Corolla H2 racer uses liquid hydrogen fuel, which is highly challenging to handle due to its cryogenic state. This makes its use in motorsport and automotive applications particularly noteworthy. The incident illustrates that while hydrogen as a fuel can pose fire risks, with appropriate design and safety systems, it can be managed safely.
Chairman Toyoda, who drives the car himself, is committed to the project. He sees the incident as par for the course in racing and believes it is part of their effort to create a hydrogen society. President Hashimoto compared the potential of liquid hydrogen to liquefied natural gas (LNG). Development is underway to explore the uncharted territory of racing with liquid hydrogen.
Toyota emphasizes that the fire was caused by a design issue and does not indicate that hydrogen is inherently dangerous. The team will revise the structure of the joint and modify the design to isolate it from heat sources and stop the flow of hydrogen in the event of a leak.
The group of like-minded partners, including Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Iwatani Corporation, continues to take on the challenge, believing in the potential of hydrogen as an energy source. All three company heads vowed to accelerate efforts to turn hydrogen into a carbon-neutral option. The car competes in the ST-Q class, a category aimed at developing technology for future mobility.
General Manager Tsuyoshi of Iwatani's Hydrogen Division stated that they have been working with hydrogen for 80 years and emphasized the importance of caution to prevent accidents. The GR Corolla H2 racer is set to debut in May's 24-hour race at Fuji Speedway. As the team moves forward, they remain hopeful that their efforts will help change public perception of hydrogen from a danger to a future solution.
[1] Toyota's GR Corolla H2 racer catches fire during testing
[2] Toyota, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Iwatani Corporation partner to develop hydrogen-powered vehicles
[3] Toyota's GR Corolla H2 racer: A step towards a hydrogen society
[4] Toyota's GR Corolla H2 racer: A look at the hydrogen-powered endurance racer
[5] Toyota's GR Corolla H2 racer: The future of hydrogen in motorsport
[1] Despite the fire incident that occurred during testing at Fuji Speedway, Toyota's GR Corolla H2 racer is moving forward, demonstrating the potential of hydrogen as a safe energy source in the automotive industry.
[2] Toyota, along with partners Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Iwatani Corporation, is working to turn hydrogen into a carbon-neutral option in the energy sector, with a particular focus on future mobility and sustainable living.
[3] The GR Corolla H2 racer, powered by liquid hydrogen, serves as a testament to Toyota's ambition towards a hydrogen society, where clean energy and transportation become intertwined.
[4] In the midst of the challenge posed by liquid hydrogen's cryogenic state, Toyota's GR Corolla H2 racer highlights the potential of hydrogen as an alternative fuel in the finance, automotive, and technological spheres.
[5] As they strive for continuous improvement and redesign to ensure safety, Toyota's GR Corolla H2 racer is paving the way for the integration of hydrogen in home-and-garden applications, changing public perception of hydrogen from a danger to a future solution in our lifestyle and energy choices.
