Toyota to launch hydrogen car 'in the next five years'
Toyota to launch hydrogen car 'in the next five years'
Used Toyota cars could be using hydrogen-powered engines a lot sooner than was expected, it has been claimed.
The Japanese manufacturer believes that it will be able to produce its first hydrogen-powered vehicle within the next five years, after the firm drastically reduced the cost of the technology involved.
Total production costs for the vehicle have apparently been cut by 90 per cent, making the car economically viable at a retail price of $50,000 (£34,148).
Company president Yoshihiko Masuda said this was a vital breakthrough: "Our target is that we do not lose money with the introduction of the vehicle.
"Production costs should be covered within the price of the vehicle."
Honda, General Motors and Daimler are all racing to beat Toyota in the race to put the first hydrogen-powered vehicle on the market.
Later this month, Toyota will make history by becoming the first manufacturer to mass-produce a hybrid vehicle in Europe when the Auris Hybrid rolls off UK production lines.
