TORRANCE, CA - In a recent collaborative fuel cell hybrid vehicle range and fuel economy field evaluation, the Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle - Advanced (FCHV-adv) achieved an estimated range of 431 miles on a single full tank of compressed hydrogen gas, and an average fuel economy of 68.3 miles/kg (approximate mpg equivalent) during a day-long trip down the southern California coast.

In mid-2008, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) approached Toyota to participate in a collaborative evaluation of the real world driving range of the FCHV-adv. On June 30, two fuel cell vehicles, two Toyota Technical Center engineers, an SRNL engineer, and a NREL engineer completed a 331.5 mile extended roundtrip drive between Toyota Motors Sales U.S.A. headquarters in Torrance, Calif., and San Diego.

The route encompassed a variety of drive cycles, including high speed highway driving, moderate highway driving and stop and go traffic on surface streets, in an effort to capture a typical commute. Each vehicle was outfitted with a data collection system that captured vehicle speed, distance traveled, hydrogen consumed, hydrogen tank pressure, temperature and internal tank volume.

Driving range data from each vehicle was calculated by SRNL and NREL engineers. The results were averaged for an estimated range of 431 miles, with an average fuel economy of 68.3 miles. The FCHV-adv is estimated to travel approximately 68 miles at a projected cost of about $2.50 - more than double the range of the Highlander Hybrid, at equal or lesser cost, while producing zero emissions.

SRNL and NREL analyzed all data gathered during the evaluation and prepared a formal report to DOE verifying range results and miles per kilogram achieved. The report will assist regulators and government research programs to accurately assess the status of the fuel cell industry and viability of the current technology.

"Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell technology has advanced rapidly over the last two years," said Irv Miller, TMS group vice president, environmental and public affairs. "In 2015, our plan is to bring to market a reliable and durable fuel cell vehicle with exceptional fuel economy and zero emissions, at an affordable price."