Toyota demonstrates Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric vehicles to European leaders in Strasbourg

Toyota today joined the fifth annual two-day Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Drive 'n' Ride event in Strasbourg, France. The Drive 'n' Ride event aims to demonstrate the readiness of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, and address the challenges associated with building hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology remains a key part of Toyota's multi-dimensional approach to developing the "ultimate eco-car", offering sustainable solutions to the concerns of energy supply and transport emissions.

"Toyota has been active in fuel cell technology for the last 20 years and we are working to commercialise our next-generation fuel cell car by 2015," commented Michel Gardel, Vice-President Communications, External and Environment Affairs of Toyota Motor Europe.

Toyota actively supports initiatives in Germany, the Nordics and the United Kingdom to support market introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles and refuelling stations. Germany, for example, has announced the 14 stations currently available should be increased to 50 sites by 2015. Other European countries like France or the Netherlands are also analysing the potential of hydrogen mobility.

During the event, MEPs, political advisors and other stakeholders will test drive six different models of fuel cell electric vehicles by Toyota, Daimler, Honda, Hyundai, Intelligent Energy and Opel. Participants will also have the opportunity to watch the refuelling process at a fully mobile and compact hydrogen station, the first of its kind in the city of Strasbourg, provided for the occasion by Air Liquide.

"The future of European transport is very high on the European Parliament's agenda. We need to find ways to make our transport system more sustainable and environmentally responsible while contributing to the economic recovery and growth in Europe. Deployment of practical and efficient clean technologies is an indispensable part of the solution for a low-carbon transport system. Europe can't miss this opportunity," stated Brian Simpson, MEP and Chair of the European Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee, ahead of the event.