To help bring about a hydrogen society by expanding the horizons of advanced fuel cell technology — not only in the automotive sector, but across many other areas of mobility and energy. With this aim, Toyota Motor Europe has established a fuel cell working group to oversee its activities on the continent: based in Brussels, it will strengthen interest in the introduction of hydrogen-based technology across a range of applications, making it accessible to new partners. As the group's director, Thiebault Paquet, explained, "the benefits of hydrogen are clear, which is why in the short term we expect a tenfold increase in our global sales of fuel cell systems, and we have significantly increased our production capacity."

The role of hydrogen in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

As set out in the Sustainable Development Goals — the 17 goals that form the cornerstone of the UN's 2030 agenda — everyone must commit to achieving a future zero-emissions society; to bring that goal closer, hydrogen can play a central role: it is no coincidence that interest and investment are growing rapidly around the world, alongside greater awareness among businesses and consumers of the advantages this resource can offer across a wide range of applications.

In July, the European Union mapped out its path to becoming the world's benchmark in the sector, adopting a strategic plan for the integration of the energy system and for hydrogen as a carrier to develop an efficient, low-emissions energy sector: the strategy envisages that by 2024 at least 6 gigawatts of electrolysers will be installed and that production will reach up to one million tonnes. In Italy, where a public consultation on the guidelines for a national strategy began in November, two important developments have been recorded in recent days: Enea has patented a new method for producing green hydrogen and oxygen from water using solar energy, while in Val Badia the world's first snowcat powered by this carrier has entered service.

Fuel cells adapt to multiple applications

Against this backdrop, Toyota "is leading the way with strong investments in the hydrogen society, through next-generation vehicles, the opening of new markets and new technological applications, its own organisation in Europe and the strengthening of its production capacity," Paquet highlighted. The company has been at the forefront of innovation in this technology since 2014, when it launched the Mirai — the first hydrogen-powered fuel cell saloon — on the market; over seven years the system has been progressively refined, becoming more compact, lighter and more efficient, and this year it will make its debut with the launch of the second-generation Mirai, further improved in terms of power, interior space, range and environmental impact. The Japanese manufacturer's fuel cell technology is, moreover, extremely flexible and can be used not only in cars: it lends itself to a range of other zero-emissions applications such as trucks, buses, forklifts and generators, while tests are under way for its use on boats and trains as well.

To accelerate the uptake of hydrogen, Toyota will give priority to European countries where infrastructure already exists to support mobility services with fleets of vehicles powered in this way, stimulating demand, reducing costs and increasing the profitability of supply facilities, thereby attracting more customers. Thanks to the new working group in Brussels, Toyota will work closely with industry partners, governments and European and national organisations to stimulate the development and deployment of hydrogen systems. With an objective embedded in its long-term strategy: to bring about a sustainable society for all.