Hydrogen cars viable as ‘clean alternative’ rides
Auto sector to benefit as it can be created from fossil fuel, natgas, solar and biogas
Al-Futtaim Motors thinks hydrogen may be the fuel of future electric cars, at least in the Middle East.
“Instead of having fuelling stations with petrol, there will be fuelling stations with hydrogen and it can be created from fossil fuel, natural gas, solar power and biogas. The Middle East can become a good source of hydrogen, which can be a good revenue source when exported,” said Saud Abbasi, managing director for Toyota at Al-Futtaim Motors. However, there are challenges as the fuelling infrastructure needs to improve and 60 per cent of the vehicles sold here are SUVs.
There is only one hydrogen fuelling station in the Middle East, at Dubai Festival City, Abbasi said, adding that Adnoc, Masdar, Air Liquide, Al-Futtaim Motors and Toyota have formed an alliance to test the Japanese automaker’s Mirai electric vehicle in the UAE.
Mirai is a 100 per cent electric vehicle, creating electricity using hydrogen, oxygen and a fuel cell. “Al-Futtaim is working on expanding the network of hydrogen stations through active cooperation and collaboration with government authorities and partnering companies in the UAE,” he said.
This year, Toyota has globally sold more than 12 million hybrids and the intention is to sell 15 million by 2020. “The impact of having 15 million hybrids on the road translates into 90 million fewer tonnes of carbon dioxide, that is 29 million kilolitres of gasoline saved,” he said.
The UAE is one of the few countries in the world where Mirai is tested. The cars are sold in Japan and California.