Toyota to launch fuel cell car next year

26 February 2002: Toyota is planning to launch a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicle for commercial use by next year. The company's environmentally friendly FCHV-4 SUV-look vehicle will go on sale in the Tokyo area by the summer of 2003.

Fuel cell cars run on energy produced in a chemical reaction combining hydrogen and oxygen, but a high price tag has kept such cars from going on sale so far.

The FCHV-4 will cost about 88,550 euros. Refuelling stations for fuel-cell cars are already being set up in Tokyo.

The top speed of the FCVH-4 is 95mph and it can travel more than 155 miles.

February 2002