Prepared Liquid Hydrogen Vehicle Prepares for 24-Hour Competition - Remarks Following Cancellation of Suzuka Debut
Toyota's Liquid Hydrogen-Powered GR Corolla Sidelined After Test Fire
A fire that occurred during a test run of Toyota's liquid hydrogen-powered GR Corolla at Fuji Speedway has led to the car's withdrawal from the upcoming Fuji 24 Hours race. The incident, which took place on March 8, was caused by an issue related to the car's liquid hydrogen fuel system.
At a press conference held at Suzuka Circuit, President Akio Sato, joined by Kawasaki Heavy Industries President Yasuhiko Hashimoto and Iwatani Corporation President Hiroshi Majima, acknowledged the incident and emphasized the importance of safety. General Manager Tsuyoshi from Toyota highlighted the need to approach the next race with a mindset that leaks may occur and take measures to prevent them.
The fire, caused by challenges in handling liquid hydrogen fuel due to its extremely low temperature and high flammability, has prompted Toyota to focus on addressing the technical and safety issues raised by the incident. This decision underscores Toyota's commitment to safety and thorough development before resuming competitive racing with the technology.
Chairman Toyoda, who drives the car himself, views the incident as part of racing and sees it as a means to create a hydrogen society. President Sato described the team's motivation as highly motivated and determined to create an option for the mobility society of the future.
The car competes in the ST-Q class, a category aimed at developing technology for the future mobility society. All three company heads have vowed to accelerate efforts to turn hydrogen into a carbon-neutral option. Development is underway to explore the uncharted territory of racing with liquid hydrogen.
The development team is working around the clock to prepare the car for next month's 24-hour race. Modifications to the design will include isolating the joint from heat sources and stopping the flow of hydrogen in the event of a leak. Toyota emphasizes that the fire was caused by a design issue and does not mean that hydrogen is inherently dangerous.
Iwatani's General Manager Manabu Tsuyoshi stated that hydrogen, though dangerous, has not led to any accidents in their business due to necessary caution. Kawasaki Heavy Industries joined Toyota's Super Taikyu endeavor in 2021 as a partner transporting Australian hydrogen. President Hashimoto compared the potential of liquid hydrogen to liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Despite the setback, Toyota remains committed to its broader strategy towards decarbonization and technological innovation in motorsports. The liquid hydrogen-powered GR Corolla is set to debut in May's 24-hour race at Fuji Speedway once the necessary safety measures have been implemented.
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