Toyota fuel cell hybrid drivers report no problems with single digit East Coast temps
30 January 2014
Connecticut-based Proton Onsite, which operates a fleet of ten Toyota FCHV-adv fuel cell vehicles, says that even in the recent single-digit temperatures, the FCHV-adv has performed without problems.
We had another snow storm Tuesday night and this morning the temperature was 3 degrees. I went out to my Toyota FCHV-adv and brushed off a foot of snow before starting the car right up.
—Mark Schiller, Proton vice president of business development
Toyota was quick to note that unlike pure battery electric vehicles which can see reductions in driving range in extreme temperatures, fuel cell vehicles’ performance stands up to freezing temperatures.
I continue to get range of about 300 miles despite the cold and blasting the heater. The vehicle performed flawlessly.
—Mark Schiller
FCHV-adv drivers at Air Products in Allentown tell the same story, according to Toyota.
Our employees have driven it to community and business-related events during one of Pennsylvania’s worst winters in recent memory. The FCHV-adv has had great performance.
—Nick Mittica, Air Products’ commercial manager, hydrogen energy systems
Over the last decade, the Toyota fuel cell fleet has logged millions of miles in some of the most extreme climates on the planet. In Yellowknife, Canada, where temperatures reach -30 degrees Celsius, fuel cell engineers spent weeks verifying cold weather start up, performance and durability. In Death Valley, they verified that it also can beat the heat.
Toyota plans to bring its fuel cell vehicle to showrooms in 2015.
What else can one expect from another excellent Toyota product?
Posted by: HarveyD | 30 January 2014 at 05:16 PM
As soon as they open an hydrogen station near where i live, i'll go there to see what it look like. Im a retiree and i need cĥeap passtime.
Posted by: Gorr | 30 January 2014 at 06:03 PM
AT least where the winter gets chilly, and at least in the form of a range extender, fuel cells simply beat pure battery vehicles.
The US mail for a start NEEDS these!
'Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.'
Posted by: Davemart | 31 January 2014 at 12:58 AM
DM...are you referring to UPS, FedEx, DHL, Purolator etc?
Posted by: HarveyD | 31 January 2014 at 10:14 AM
@Harvey:
Yep.
Here is FedEx:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2014/01/20140109-plugpower.html?cid=6a00d8341c4fbe53ef01a3fbee3335970b#comment-form
And here is La Poste:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2013/12/20131211-sfc.html
Posted by: Davemart | 31 January 2014 at 10:47 AM
La Poste is public and an early user of electrified vehicles.
Fedex is private and also an early ser of electrified vehicles.
Our public Canada Post is not yet an e-vehicle user. We have lots of Tar Sands to extract.
Posted by: HarveyD | 31 January 2014 at 06:47 PM
Are there any official studies or data collected about the cold weather range and performance of such FCEVs? It is rather interesting that colder climates would favour the FCEV/FCHEV for more consistent winter performance, while more moderate climates can be served with simple BEVs.
I have been looking for such data so far and have found nothing. I would appreciate if somebody could share their findings if there are any. Claims like the ones made in the articles are nice, but do not hold much weight when cited in official reports.
Posted by: Ashrith Domun | 06 June 2015 at 02:06 PM