At this month's Japan Mobility Show Bizweek, Toyota Motor Corporation unveiled the latest iteration of its portable hydrogen cartridges. Designed primarily to power fuel cell electric vehicles, the new cartridges are compact enough to be carried by hand or in a backpack, allowing drivers to instantly pop in fuel instead of recharging at a station. Toyota envisions the swappable cartridges becoming a ubiquitous renewable energy source, powering not just cars, but also appliances. As a test case, it worked with Rinnai Corporation on an outdoor stove.
The plug-and-ride portability of Toyota's new hydrogen cartridges solves common pain points for drivers: extending their range and offering peace of mind about getting to a charging station before their battery runs dry. As extreme weather events and accompanying blackouts become more frequent, having a backup power source for household appliances extends that sense of security beyond transportation.
⚡️ Bigger picture? Transitioning into a society powered by renewable, no-emission fuel requires a coordinated effort across the energy value chain.