Toyota is reportedly rolling out two new hydrogen powertrains in two of its established nameplates.

    Forbes reports the company will offer hydrogen power in its Corolla and Prius ranges in 2023.

    Very different from the existing Toyota Mirai, the hydrogen powertrain in the upcoming Corolla will reportedly use a combustion engine but burn hydrogen in place of petrol.

    The upcoming Prius will instead use hydrogen to power a plug-in hybrid system.

    The current Mirai generates electricity from the reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell. This drives the electric motor, with the overflow energy stored in its battery.

    Toyota has already revealed a hydrogen-powered Corolla race car, which uses a turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine and is claimed to produce near to zero CO2 emissions.

    A new fifth-generation Prius is set to launch in 2022 reportedly with a 1.8-litre hybrid-petrol engine, with the hydrogen PHEV following in 2023.

    These hydrogen powertrains will help Toyota reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

    Toyota is also trying to demonstrate hydrogen power as a viable alternative to electric vehicles.

    Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is something that hasn’t reached all capital cities here in Australia yet.

    There are only two hydrogen refuelling stations in Australia open to the public – one in Melbourne, one in Canberra – plus another station in Sydney at Hyundai’s headquarters.

    MORE: Everything Toyota Corolla
    MORE: Everything Toyota Prius

    Jack Quick

    Jack Quick is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne. Jack studied journalism and photography at Deakin University in Burwood, and previously represented the university in dance nationally. In his spare time, he loves to pump Charli XCX and play a bit of Grand Theft Auto. He’s also the proud owner of a blue, manual 2020 Suzuki Jimny.

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