The Motegi Super Taikyu 5 Hours Race, Round 5 of the 2023 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series Supported by Bridgestone, was held in Tochigi Prefecture, the Toyota Times reported on 20 October.
Motegi was also the venue for the unveiling of a hydrogen road service vehicle jointly developed by Toyota and the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). Though still a prototype, this FC truck is equipped with hydrogen modules that enable it to directly refuel other vehicles.
As part of its roadside services, JAF annually assists some 50,000 vehicles stranded without fuel, including 700 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that have run out of charge and around 20 cars needing a hydrogen top-up.
The newly premiered road service vehicle was jointly developed to ensure that, in a hydrogen society with more FCEVs on the road, running out of hydrogen could be handled like other fuels rather than requiring cars to be towed.
Vice President Hiroki Nakajima:
At present, if a driver runs out of hydrogen on the road without a refueling station nearby, their only option is to call a tow truck.
In such situations, the JAF vehicle can be sent out to supply hydrogen. Although part of road services, such vehicles could also deliver hydrogen for home generators and stationary power generation units in the future.With JAF’s extensive cooperation, Toyota outfitted the vehicle with all the functions necessary to provide roadside assistance, not just hydrogen refueling.
Vice President Keitaro Shinomiya, JAF:
We developed this vehicle together with Toyota, which is conducting research aimed at advancing a hydrogen society.
In addition to supplying hydrogen, this vehicle brings together everything needed to handle the five main problems on the road, from flat tires and dead batteries to running out of fuel.
The toolbox contains a jack, tow ropes, an air tank, and other gear for changing tires, a car recovery kit, regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, diesel fuel, and other equipment for providing a wide range of roadside services.
As energy options continue to increase, JAF is developing vehicles that can supply various fuels, including electricity and gasoline, when they run out.
Photos of Toyota Times
Source https://toyotatimes.jp/en/report/hpe_challenge_2023/010.html?padid=ag478_from_newsroom
