September 13, 2024 17:30
Automakers recalibrate their electric ambitions
Press
Innovation is at the heart of the automotive industry, and Toyota continues to push the boundaries of technology with its Yaris GR H2. Recently showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, this experimental version of the popular Yaris GR is powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, offering an eco-friendly alternative without sacrificing the driving experience.
Technology and performance
The Yaris GR H2 uses the same 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine as the classic GR Yaris, but with significant modifications to burn pure hydrogen. This type of vehicle, known as a "Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle" (HCIEV), significantly reduces emissions while retaining the acoustic and sensory characteristics beloved in combustion engines.
Hydrogen burns faster than gasoline, providing quick responsiveness and exceptional environmental performance. Toyota has tested this technology under rigorous conditions, including in the Super Taikyu racing series in Japan and in rallying, proving its robustness and future potential.
A step towards sustainability
Unlike many manufacturers, Toyota has never fully embraced the all-electric approach. A pioneer in hybrid engines, the Japanese automaker has always carefully considered what it deems most important in terms of ecology, enjoyment, and profitability.
At WOT, our ambition is to perpetuate automotive pleasure, particularly through the sound emitted by a combustion engine. We are committed to exploring various solutions to combine optimal performance with sustainability. The Toyota Yaris GR H2 perfectly embodies this vision, proving that high performance and environmental respect can coexist. We welcome this technology with open arms as it fully aligns with our philosophy. It allows us to continue our work as reprogramming experts while offering high-performance and environmentally responsible solutions.
White hydrogen as a solution
White hydrogen, naturally produced by geochemical reactions, is a promising alternative for extending the use of combustion vehicles without requiring significant modifications. Unlike other types of hydrogen produced through industrial processes, white hydrogen forms naturally through redox reactions involving iron-containing metals or through the radiolysis of water in the presence of plutonium or uranium. It has the advantage of not emitting carbon dioxide during its production and is abundantly present on Earth, with sources being regularly discovered, particularly in natural wells and oceans. In France, promising deposits have been identified in regions such as Lorraine, Drôme, Côte-d'Or, Cotentin, and the Pyrenees, with considerable potential, such as in Lorraine, where the deposit could reach 46 billion tons. The natural sources of white hydrogen could be sufficient to meet global hydrogen needs, attracting the interest of industries and governments to develop viable exploitation techniques. In France, the first exploration permit was granted in 2023 to TBH2 Aquitaine for research in the Pyrénées Atlantiques. White hydrogen offers a unique opportunity to extend the use of combustion vehicles while respecting environmental imperatives, and its natural production, without CO2 emissions, and its abundant presence make it a strategic option for the future of energy and transportation.
Conclusion
The Toyota Yaris GR H2 represents a significant step forward in integrating eco-friendly technologies into high-performance automotive domains. It was important for us to highlight this Toyota Yaris GR H2, as we have just homologated our Yaris GR in the WOT1 version.
Additionally, within less than two months, we will obtain the Yaris GR in an automatic version, allowing us to conduct a unique comparison. The Yaris GR H2 demonstrates that it is possible to combine driving pleasure and sustainability without compromise. We also hope that white hydrogen will soon be available in Europe, enabling the transition from prototype to concrete and sustainable realization.
