UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) memperkenalkan inisiatif Beyond Zero, yang selaras dengan matlamat global Toyota ke arah Neutraliti Karbon menjelang 2050. Acara itu, yang bermula pada hari ini hingga 28 Februari di Taman Teknologi Malaysia, mempersembahkan inisiatif transformasi yang mempamerkan komitmen jenama itu terhadap amalan mampan dan mesra alam.
Acara itu turut merangkumi ikrar UMWT untuk menerajui usaha ke arah mewujudkan masa depan yang mampan dan saling berhubung. Wawasan ini melangkaui konsep automotif konvensional, membayangkan sebuah masyarakat di mana setiap individu mengejar kebahagiaan dengan membuat pilihan yang selari dengan nilai dan gaya hidup mereka. Inilah yang dinamakan sebagai pendekatan berbilang laluan ke arah Neutraliti Karbon.
Acara itu menekankan komitmen UMWT untuk menyelaraskan amalannya dengan usaha negara dan global yang lebih meluas bagi menangani perubahan iklim dan memupuk pembangunan mampan. Bagi mempamerkan komitmen Toyota yang tidak berbelah bahagi terhadap pendekatan berbilang laluan ke arah neutraliti karbon, syarikat itu menawarkan pelbagai penyelesaian elektrifikasi bagi memenuhi keperluan unik pelanggan dan rantau ini, memastikan bahawa tiada seorang pun yang akan ketinggalan dalam perjalanan ke arah mencapai pelepasan Karbon Dioksida Sifar.
Toyota telah melancarkan Mirai 2024, versi terkini bagi Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) mereka. Mirai menawarkan jarak pandu yang diperluas sejauh 646km, menampilkan warna luar Elemental Silver yang baru dan pemilihan logo Beyond Zero untuk menekankan komitmen Toyota untuk mengurangkan pelepasan karbon.
Mirai beroperasi sebagai kenderaan elektrik “plug-less”, menggunakan sistem sel bahan api yang menghasilkan elektrik dari hidrogen, hanya melepaskan air. Dibangunkan atas platform Rear-Wheel Drive GA-L, Mirai menyediakan pengalaman sedan mewah-sport mid-size dengan fleksibiliti kawalan yang luar biasa. Rekabentuk aerodinamiknya menyumbang kepada kecekapan dan prestasi keseluruhan.
Di dalam, Mirai menawarkan teknologi dan keselesaan yang canggih, dengan skrin sentuh multimedia 12.3 inci, sambungan Bluetooth berganda, pengecasan tanpa wayar, dan keserasian dengan Apple CarPlay dan Android Auto.
Keselamatan adalah keutamaan dengan Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, termasuk Sistem Pre-Collision dan Peringatan Keluar Laluan. Ciri keselamatan tambahan termasuk Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, dan Traffic Jam Assist.
Pemilik Mirai dapat mendapat manfaat dari Perkhidmatan Terhubung, ToyotaCare, bahan api hidrogen percuma, sokongan telefon 24/7, dan jaminan FCEV lapan tahun/160,934km, menunjukkan komitmen Toyota terhadap kepuasan pelanggan dan ketahanan pelaburan mereka dalam FCEV.
Harga untuk Mirai XLE adalah $50,190 (RM237,273) dan Mirai Limited sebanyak $67,155 (RM317,475).
In a move toward a more sustainable and futuristic automotive landscape, Toyota has unveiled the 2024 Mirai, the latest iteration of its groundbreaking Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). With an impressive range, new features, and enhanced safety technologies, the second-generation Mirai is set to redefine the standards for hydrogen-powered luxury.
One of the standout features of the 2024 Mirai is its extended driving range. The Mirai XLE grade boasts an EPA-estimated range of 646km, a notable improvement that caters to the growing demand for extended-range FCEVs. Beyond its extended range, the Mirai introduces a fresh Elemental Silver exterior colour and Beyond Zero badging, underlining Toyota’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embracing a carbon-neutral future.
The inclusion of Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 further enhances the safety profile of the Mirai, making it a comprehensive choice for drivers prioritising advanced safety technologies.
At the heart of the Mirai’s allure is its “plug-less” electric vehicle operation. Instead of relying on traditional charging methods, the Mirai utilises a fuel cell system that generates electricity onboard from hydrogen. This process results in the emission of only water, aligning with Toyota’s commitment to creating environmentally friendly vehicles. The Mirai incorporates cutting-edge technologies, including an electrostatic air cleaner, a water-cooled oil cooler, and a lithium-ion battery, ensuring efficient and sustainable performance.
Built on the premium Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) GA-L platform, the Mirai delivers a mid-size luxury-sport sedan experience. The GA-L platform, coupled with a sophisticated multilink suspension, guarantees exceptional handling agility and a remarkably smooth, quiet ride. The Mirai’s aerodynamic design, featuring a 0.29 coefficient of drag, not only contributes to efficiency but also enhances overall performance.
Inside the Mirai’s cabin, advanced technology and comfort seamlessly intertwine. Both Mirai grades feature a standard 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen display, offering an intuitive interface for drivers and passengers alike. Connectivity options abound, with dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, wireless charging, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mirai caters to comfort with features like SoftTex-trimmed and heated seats, a Colour Head Up Display (HUD), and a digital rear-view mirror with HomeLink on the Limited grade.
Safety takes center stage in the 2024 Mirai, now equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This comprehensive safety suite includes features such as Pre-Collision System, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and more. Additional safety elements include Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Traffic Jam Assist, ensuring a secure driving experience.
Mirai owners can enjoy an array of Connected Services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote Connect. Extended benefits such as ToyotaCare, complimentary hydrogen fuel, dedicated 24/7 phone support, and an eight-year/160,934km FCEV warranty underline Toyota’s commitment to customer satisfaction and the longevity of their FCEV investment.
The pricing for the Mirai XLE is $50,190 (RM237,273) and the Mirai Limited at $67,155 (RM317,475).
Since the 1970s, when it was clear that the combustion engine powering motor vehicles was a major culprit in air pollution and also diminishing fossil fuel supplies, there has been a search for an alternative propulsion system that does not pollute and is also sustainable. Instead of fossil fuel – the product of dead dinosaurs and plants millions of years ago – electricity is the ‘fuel’ of the future.
Electricity is used to power motors and like liquid fuel, it is stored in a battery pack in a limited quantity which needs to be replenished. The electricity comes from power generating plants that run mainly on coal, which generates undesirable emissions. So while electric power is ‘clean’, the electricity itself comes from a source that is still not clean.
There are alternative electricity generation methods – hydro-electricity, solar and wind – but these are limited in use at this time. What has been seen as promising has been the fuel cell concept that was originally developed for spacecraft. This concept uses hydrogen as a fuel in an electrochemical process that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electrical energy and water.
Toyota has various solutions to offer that can contribute towards the quest for carbon neutrality. It does not believe that pure electric vehicles (EVs) are the only way to go as different markets and regions require different approaches. It has hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology at one end of the range of mobility solutions and at the other more advanced end, it can also provide fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) that use hydrogen.
For Malaysia at the moment, HEV technology is deemed the most practical solution and the company has started assembling HEV models locally to accelerate adoption. HEVs like the Corolla Cross Hybrid do not depend on charging stations to recharge their battery packs and the process occurs while the SUV is moving. Thus Malaysians can do their balik kampung journeys with peace of mind and don’t have to think about finding a recharging station.
One year ago, at IAA Mobility in Munich, Germany, the BMW Group displayed a special X5 which runs on hydrogen. Known as the iX5 Hydrogen, it uses the X5 bodywork but has a hydrogen fuel-cell electric drivetrain.
The iX5 Hydrogen is under development because BMW sees hydrogen fuel-cell technology as having the potential to become a further pillar in the BMW Group’s drivetrain portfolio for local mobility without CO2 emissions. Provided the gas is produced using renewable energy and the necessary infrastructure is available, this technology can complement the BMW Group’s electrified drivetrain portfolio in future.
Fuel-cell + BMW eDrive technology The iX5 Hydrogen combines fuel-cell technology with a fifth-generation BMW eDrive. The drive system uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in a fuel-cell. The electric output can be up to 125 kW/170 bhp, with water vapour as the only emission.
The electric motor was developed from BMW eDrive technology also used in the BMW iX. In coasting overrun and braking phases, it serves as a generator, feeding energy into a power battery. The energy stored in this power battery can deliver a system output of 275 kW/374 bhp to provide the driving experience that the brand has been known for.
The hydrogen needed to supply the fuel cell is stored in two 700-bar tanks (the two cylinders in the picture above) made of carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), which together hold almost 6 kgs of hydrogen. “Filling up the tanks only takes three to four minutes – so there are no limits on using the BMW iX5 Hydrogen for long distances, with just a few, short stops in-between,” said Juergen Guldner, Head of BMW Group Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology and Vehicle Projects.
Built in-house The carmaker recently commenced fuel-cell system production at its competence centre in Munich. By the end of this year, it will have a small fleet iX5 Hydrogen SAVs that will be run around the world for test and demonstration purposes
“As a versatile energy source, hydrogen has a key role to play on the road to climate neutrality. And it will also gain substantially in importance as far as personal mobility is concerned. We think hydrogen-powered vehicles are ideally placed technologically to fit alongside battery-electric vehicles and complete the electric mobility picture,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “By commencing small-scale production of fuel cells today, we are demonstrating the technical maturity of this type of drive system and underscoring its potential for the future.”
“Our many years of research and development work have enabled us to get the very most out of hydrogen technology,” added Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development. “We have managed to more than double the fuel cell’s continuous output in the second-generation fuel-cell in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, while weight and size have both decreased drastically.”
So far, the iX Hydrogen prototype has already successfully demonstrated its excellent everyday usability, even at very low temperatures, during the final round of winter testing in Sweden at the start of this year.
Technological expertise, high efficiency standards A chemical reaction takes place in the fuel cell between hydrogen from the tanks and oxygen from the air. Maintaining a steady supply of both elements to the fuel cell’s membrane is of crucial importance for the drive system’s efficiency. In addition to the technological equivalents of features found on combustion engines, such as charge air coolers, air filters, control units and sensors, the BMW Group also developed special hydrogen components for its new fuel cell system. These include the high-speed compressor with turbine and high-voltage coolant pump.
The individual fuel cells required for manufacturing the iX5 Hydrogen are supplied by from the Toyota Motor Corporation, which has been selling a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (the Mirai) since 2014. The two companies have been collaborating on fuel-cell drive systems since 2013.
Even before full electrification with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has gone mainstream in global markets, some manufacturers are already moving ahead with fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Hyundai Motor was among the first with production FCEV passenger models and is steadily growing its hydrogen fuel cell commercial trucks with the XCIENT Fuel Cell model.
Fuel cell (FC) technology is particularly well-suited to commercial shipping and logistics due to long ranges and short refueling times. The dual-mounted fuel cell system provides enough energy to drive the heavy-duty trucks up and down regions with mountainous terrain.
“XCIENT Fuel Cell is a present-day reality, not as a mere future drawing board project. By putting this groundbreaking vehicle on the road now, Hyundai marks a significant milestone in the history of commercial vehicles and the development of hydrogen society,” said In Cheol Lee, Executive Vice-President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor. “Building a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem, where critical transportation needs are met by vehicles like XCIENT Fuel Cell, will lead to a paradigm shift that removes automobile emissions from the environmental equation.”
Joint venture in Switzerland The XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks, manufactured in Korea, are marketed a joint venture company which has Swiss company H2 Energy as a partner. The joint-venture company, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM), offers the XCIENT Fuel Cell in a leasing deal which includes all costs, from import to technical support to the availability of green hydrogen. The big advantage is that there are no initial costs for the end customer.
Hyundai chose Switzerland as the starting point for its business venture for various reasons. One of the reasons is that zero-emission trucks do not have to pay Swiss roadtax charges. This nearly equalizes the hauling costs per kilometre of the FC truck compared to a regular diesel truck.
400 kms of range The XCIENT Fuel Cell, the hydrogen FC version of its Xcient truck, is equipped with a 180-kW hydrogen FC system incorporating two 90-kW fuel cell stacks. With a 350-kW e-motor, the vehicle is claimed to be able to travel 400 kms on a full tank and requires only 8 to 20 minutes to fill up. Seven large hydrogen tanks offer a combined storage capacity of around 32.09 kgs of hydrogen.
To date, Hyundai has exported XCIENT FC trucks to Switzerland, where it has 23 corporate fleet clients, and more recently, to Germany where 27 units will be used by 7 companies in the logistics and manufacturing sectors.
Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology is not new to Hyundai Motor. In fact, the company was already carrying out R&D on such vehicles, which use hydrogen, from the early 2000s. By 2013, it was able to commercialise a FCEV in the form of the iX35, the first carmaker to do so.
Since then, development on FCEVs has advanced further and the company has accumulated even more experience and feedback through the use of its FCEVs over millions of kilometres in many parts of the world.
Hyundai N, the performance arm, is also looking at FCEV technology for the future and has developed the N Vision 74 as a high-performance hydrogen fuel cell hybrid rolling laboratory. While it is the first such high-performance rolling lab for Hyundai N’s engineers to use, it is not the first time for N where FCEV technology is concerned.
In 2015, the company also created the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo with the launch of the N brand to envision the future of hydrogen-based high performance. The futuristic N 2025 was conceived to represent Hyundai in the Vision Gran Turismo program, a series of fictional concept cars for the Gran Turismo videogame by Polyphony Digital. While it was never produced as a real-life running model, it had advanced technologies that gave extremely high performance which gamers could experience.
For the N Vision 74, Hyundai’s engineers developed a hybrid structure of a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in combination with an FCEV system, placed in an all-new layout. By having a fuel cell system and battery-electric system powering the car together, the cooling efficiency is improved.
The two different power sources can be used together or independent, depending on different driving conditions. This fine-tuned logic system enables better torque vectoring by twin motors on the rear, allowing a precise and responsive cornering experience. Moreover, the N Vision 74 explores the balance between the performance and cooling with a 3-channel cooling system.
Measuring 4952 mm long, 1995 mm wide and 1331 mm tall on a 2905 mm wheelbase, the design of the concept car is inspired by the Hyundai Pony Coupe concept of 1974. This concept car developed by the designer Giorgetto Giugiaro was a proposal for a sportscar based on the very significant model in Hyundai Motor’s history. The concept car was then built into prototypes for what was to be Hyundai’s first production sportscar. Although it could not reach production in the end, the daring attitude set the tone for the entire company.
The N Vision 74 inherited the pure surface, dynamic proportioned profile and the unique B-pillar from the Pony Coupe concept. In addition, the lighting units have Parametric Pixel lighting, a feature which is seen on the latest models.
“N Vision 74’s future-oriented design reflects the respect and appreciation we have for the dedication and passion that went into the Pony Coupe concept,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice-President and Head of Hyundai Design Centre.
Hopium is a French car brand you probably never heard of. In fact, before October 2019, it never existed and was established in that month by Olivier Lombard, the youngest winner in the 24 hours of Le Mans (LMP2 class). Hopium is the brand of Hydrogen Motive Company which will make high-end hydrogen-fuelled vehicles (FCEVs).
Now 31 years old, Lombard starts off with 7 years of personal experience with such vehicles and has assembled a team of experts as well as business partners to develop the car of the future. While the transport sector alone is responsible for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change, Hopium is positioning itself as a player in the fight against climate change.
Prototype developed in record time
The development work began in October 2020 and by June 2021, the first prototype was produced in record time. It has been known as Alpha 0 and is used to certify the reliability of the fuel cell system. After the design and architecture phases, followed by the implementation of the various components within the vehicle, the prototype went through lab and track tests. It has already reached a maximum speed of 200 km/h, the performance level which is promised for the Machina, as the production model is to be known.
Over the past 12 months, the next phase following the rolling prototype has been underway and has led to the completion of the Machina concept car which gives a preview of the design features. Conceived by automotive designer Felix Godard (previously at Porsche, Tesla and Lucid) has a sleek aerodynamic form with an imposing grille in the ascending fuselage to optimize fuel cell cooling.
Inspired by water
The lighting signature is distinctive and also serves as the emblem of Hopium. The lines replicate the stratification of hydrogen and the movement of waves on the surface of water. In fact, much of the design has been inspired by water, which is a harmless by-product of the reaction in the fuel cell to generate electricity.
The platform has the fuel cell system installed up front, generating electricity that is stored in battery packs that are optimised in size and efficiency. The hydrogen storage tanks can contain over 6 kgs of the gas which will take only 3 minutes to fill with high-pressure pumps. The performance targets for the Machina are 500 ps, 230 km/h and 1,000 kms of range.
Future of the Human/Machine relationship
Godard and his designers imagine the future of the Human/Machine relationship inside the Machina. Facing the front occupants is a pillar-to-pillar display with a ‘digital landscape’ of information. It can transform into a full or minimized layout as desired, in a wave-like motion. The haptic console offers a new sensory connection with the interface.
At the back, passengers can enjoy the comfort of a spacious interior with a view of the sky. All the materials used for the interior are of the highest quality, and made to last a long time. The materials will be sourced in Europe to reduce their environmental impact.
Orders for the first 1,000 units of the Machina have been accepted over the past year but the company has not revealed how many there are. It will make its world premiere at the 2022 Paris Motor Show this October.
In 1991, Renault displayed a concept car that was the forerunner of compact MPVs with its novel management of the interior layout to comfortably accommodate a whole family. The model was called the Scenic concept, and its format would be used in a new generation of models that also used the same name.
31 years later, the French carmaker is again using the name and as before, the new model starts a new chapter in its history. Known as the Scenic Vision, the new concept car embodies the brand’s sustainable development commitments and encapsulates them in a single vehicle. Its intelligent design and manufacture incorporate methods that the Renault Group and its brands will use to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040 and worldwide by 2050.
Previous Scenic concept introduced the compact MPV format to the world in 1991.
With the Scenic Vision, Renault is proposing ‘a car for life and for living’, with a new vision for the family car. Its exterior design, measuring 4.49 metres in length, provides a preview of an all-electric model in the C-segment that will be unveiled in 2024.
The unique design is enhanced by the choice of colours, where black and white create a singular graphic universe. Shades of black on the outside, and white on the inside, offer a contrast of light and dark that reflects the design team’s wish for this concept car to be a work of art where artistic expression takes to the fore.
Fuel cell powertrain
The Scenic Vision is proposed with a fuel cell that generates electricity for a new-generation motor. The 160 kW motor derives directly from the latest Megane E-Tech Electric’s motor and uses no rare-earth elements. This helps to reduce its carbon footprint and create a responsible and sustainable ecosystem.
The 40 kWh battery pack is recyclable and will be made in France by 2024 at the Renault ElectriCity Gigafactory. It is lighter, smaller and costs less than a battery pack for a similar electric vehicle. The 15 kW fuel cell will recharge it during long drives and thus extend its range. In 2030 and beyond, once the network of hydrogen stations is large enough, it will be possible to drive up to 800 kms, with the hydrogen tank able to be refilled in 5 minutes or less.
The all-new platform used by the Scenic Vision is currently in the prototyping phase. It is purpose-designed to fit all the components – electric motor, hydrogen engine, battery, fuel cell and hydrogen tank. The engine is at the rear, so there is enough space for the 2.5-kg hydrogen tank at the front; the fuel cell is under the floor, at the back of the platform, behind the battery.
Optimal travel times
This propulsion system’s operation is simple and efficient. The car can be driven as a conventional electric vehicle, without using the fuel cell, on daily trips. When there is a requirement to travel longer distances, a route planner calculates the power the fuel cell needs to supply to keep the battery charged for longer, so that there is no need to charge it on the way.
The point of using the fuel cell on long journeys is that it’s quicker to top up the hydrogen tank than to charge the battery. This way, there is no need to charge the battery until the car reaches its destination. When the weather is cold, the hydrogen range-extender also keeps the battery at the right temperate for optimal operation and extra range.
95% recyclable
A full 95% of this concept car’s materials – including the battery – are recyclable. This new approach to design looks beyond the vehicle and includes previously unexplored ventures and technologies. The exterior materials (steel, aluminium, carbonfibre and plastics) can all be recycled at the end of their life.
Everything inside is also designed responsibly. For example, the foams, fabrics and stitching on the light beige seats are made of the same material, produced from fully recycled and recyclable plastic.
Estimates suggest that the number of electric vehicles on Europe’s roads will increase tenfold between now and 2030, from 10 million to 100 million. The Renault Group is the first carmaker to work on the full battery lifecycle, and has developed solid expertise in increasing their durability and using them for a wider variety of purposes. Once a battery is no longer fit to power a vehicle, its energy can be reused in stationary storage solutions in homes or offices, or elsewhere (in boats, refrigeration systems, machinery or airport logistics, etc).
The steel in the vehicle’s structure is made from 95% recycled steel, while all the aluminium parts in the structure (housings, battery casing, seats) and trims (console, cockpit) are made from 100% recycled aluminium. All the carbonfibre is recycled from aviation industry scrap via a partnership with Airbus, and the hydrogen tank is made with carbonfibre produced from paper-industry waste.
Elsewhere, 70% of the interior and exterior plastics are recycled, with 100% of the textile fabrics made of recycled materials. It is also entirely leather-free, while the floor is made of 100% recycled plastics from food and industrial waste
Help for safer motoring
The Scenic Vision previews technology and systems which will provide assistance to drivers, enabling them to better avoid risky situations, and reduce stress behind the wheel. The multiple ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Systems) and 3 on-board systems – Safety Score, Safety Coach, and Safe Guardian, are designed to provide extra safety for all, as well as a unique level of both physical and psychological comfort.
New Renault models will soon come with a ‘Safety Score’. Using data collected by sensors mounted on the vehicle, it analyses the driver’s driving style – acceleration, smoothness, inattention, speed management, and driver distractibility. It then gives personalised driving tips to each driver based on a safety score calculated at the end of each trip.
To further aid drivers, the vehicle comes fitted with an array of health monitoring systems. A heart rate sensor placed in the steering wheel and a camera serve to detect signs of driver fatigue or inattentiveness. Should a problem arise, warning signals are sent to the driver and passengers, and emergency services are alerted automatically.
The Scenic Vision has been designed with a new architecture that features an extra-large screen located where the dashboard meets the windscreen. It displays the car’s immediate environment, thanks to an array of on-board cameras located at the front of the vehicle. The system increases the driver’s field of view by 24% due to a visual widening of the windscreen and a front bonnet that ‘disappears’.
New technological solutions help rescue services at the scene of an incident. The Fireman Access and Rescue Code are two such systems already featured on production vehicles, with the former featuring a specialised access hatch to the core of the battery that means it now only takes a few minutes to extinguish a battery fire instead of up to 2 hours.
