Toyota Motor to start testing fuel cell vehicles in UAE

[TOKYO] Toyota Motor Corp on Tuesday said it would begin testing its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in the United Arab Emirates as the Japanese automaker explores the potential for the zero-emissions fuel technology in hot, dry conditions.

Toyota will team up with Abu Dhabi green energy firm Masdar, Abu Dhabi National Oil Co and French industrial gases company Air Liquide SA to examine prospects for hydrogen production, logistics and business feasibility.

As part of the project Toyota will conduct driving and refuelling tests using its Mirai FCV, which it launched in late 2015 as part of its goal to foster what it calls a "hydrogen society", where the zero-emission fuel would power homes and vehicles.

"As the (UAE) government continues to promote new initiatives and pursues the creation of a hydrogen-based society, the UAE is able to emerge as the world leader of next-generation clean energies," Toyota Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada said in a statement.

Toyota has promoted fuel cell vehicles as the most viable next-generation option to petrol-electric hybrids, but a lack of hydrogen fuelling stations poses a major hurdle for mass consumption.

REUTERS