Articles tagged with "hydrogen-fuel-cells"
Toyota & Airbus Push Hydrogen Fuel Cell Dreams - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica critically examines the current state and challenges of hydrogen fuel cell technology in transportation, highlighting the gap between its appealing theoretical benefits and practical realities. It emphasizes two main issues: first, hydrogen is not inherently zero-emission unless produced via renewable energy sources like electrolysis powered by green electricity; otherwise, its production from fossil fuels generates significant carbon dioxide. Second, the cost of producing green hydrogen remains prohibitively high, making widespread commercial adoption difficult. Advocates for hydrogen often overlook these barriers, engaging in what the article terms "magic realism"—a hopeful but unrealistic belief in hydrogen’s near-term viability as a clean fuel. Despite these challenges, Toyota Motor Europe, in partnership with VDL Group, has introduced four heavy-duty fuel cell trucks operating between freight terminals in Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. These 40-ton trucks reportedly match diesel trucks in performance, offering up to 400 km range per refueling and zero tailpipe emissions, emitting only water vapor.
hydrogen-fuel-cellsToyotaclean-energyzero-emissionsgreen-hydrogenfuel-cell-truckssustainable-transportationScotland’s LoganAir eyes zero-emission flights, partners with ZeroAvia
Scotland’s largest regional airline, LoganAir, has partnered with aerospace company ZeroAvia to explore integrating hydrogen-electric engines into its fleet, aiming to decarbonize regional flights. ZeroAvia’s technology uses hydrogen fuel cells to power electric motors, producing only water as a byproduct and thus achieving zero emissions. The initial test platform will be a Cessna Caravan equipped with ZeroAvia’s 600-kilowatt ZA600 system, designed for aircraft carrying 10 to 20 passengers. ZeroAvia is advancing certification efforts with the UK Civil Aviation Authority for both the ZA600 and the larger ZA2000 systems, targeting aircraft such as the Twin Otter and ATR series—types that are part of LoganAir’s fleet. LoganAir CEO Luke Farajallah highlighted that the airline’s existing fleet and route network are well-suited for hydrogen-electric propulsion, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainability. ZeroAvia’s founder Val Miftakhov expressed optimism that this partnership will
energyhydrogen-fuel-cellszero-emission-flightsaviation-technologysustainable-energyelectric-propulsionclean-energyFrom Hydrogen Hope To EV Reality: How Hype’s Subsidy Bubble Burst - CleanTechnica
Hype, once a leading hydrogen taxi service in Europe, has abandoned hydrogen technology and shifted exclusively to electric vehicles, reflecting the broader global failure of hydrogen-powered transportation ventures. Founded in Paris in 2015, Hype initially expanded rapidly by leveraging substantial subsidies from French government agencies, regional authorities, and the European Union. Key funding came from the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), the Île-de-France region, and the EU’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), which supported both vehicle acquisition and the costly hydrogen refueling infrastructure. This extensive public funding masked the underlying economic challenges of hydrogen taxis, which remained prohibitively expensive without subsidies. A critical factor in sustaining Hype’s operations was its partnership with Toyota, which provided free hydrogen fuel with leased Mirai fuel cell vehicles for several years, eliminating a major operational cost and creating a misleading impression of economic viability. By 2020, Hype operated Europe’s largest hydrogen taxi fleet and was prominently featured in
energyhydrogen-fuel-cellselectric-vehiclessustainable-transportationclean-energysubsidieshydrogen-mobilityWorld’s first robot city to rise beneath Japan’s Mount Fuji in 2025
Toyota is set to launch the world’s first fully connected, self-contained “robot city” called Woven City at the base of Mount Fuji, Japan, in fall 2025. Situated on the 175-acre former Higashi-Fuji plant site in Shizuoka Prefecture, about 140 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, this experimental metropolis will serve as a real-world testbed for future mobility, smart infrastructure, and sustainable living. Initially housing 100 residents—mainly Toyota engineers and their families—the population is expected to grow to 360 in the first phase, with a long-term goal of 2,000 inhabitants. The city’s residents are divided into “Inventors,” who develop new technologies, and “Weavers,” who provide user feedback. Central to the city’s design is Toyota’s autonomous electric vehicle platform, the e-Palette, which will operate alongside an underground logistics network and dedicated surface lanes for pedestrians, slower mobility devices, and autonomous vehicles. Beyond mobility, Woven City emphasizes sustainability and resilience through a hydrogen fuel cell energy grid supplemented by solar panels, water recycling, and advanced waste management. Smart homes equipped with robotics and AI will monitor health, manage energy, and optimize daily life, while the entire urban system is interconnected via sensors and AI to create a living digital operating system. The city functions both as a simulation environment and a functioning habitat, enabling direct testing of smart infrastructure technologies. Although not open to tourists initially, Toyota plans to allow public access starting in 2026. Ultimately, Woven City aims to serve as a scalable model for future urban planning worldwide, demonstrating how public-private partnerships can foster next-generation technologies amid growing climate and security challenges.
robotIoTenergyautonomous-vehiclessmart-cityhydrogen-fuel-cellssustainable-livingCalifornia prepares to sue feds after Senate revokes the state’s EV rule
energyelectric-vehicleszero-emissionsCaliforniaemissions-standardshydrogen-fuel-cellsbattery-electric-vehiclesSenate votes to revoke California’s ability to set air pollution standards
energyzero-emissionselectric-vehicleshydrogen-fuel-cellsCalifornia-emissions-standardsenvironmental-policyclean-technology