Hydrogen-Powered Corolla Attempts Groundbreaking 24-Hour Journey Worldwide
Toyota's Hydrogen-Powered Corolla Triumphs in 24-Hour Race
In a groundbreaking achievement, a liquid hydrogen-powered Toyota Corolla completed a 24-hour endurance race on May 28, 2023, at Fuji International Speedway, Oyama, Shizuoka. The car, driven by a team consisting of Hiroaki Ishiura, Masahiro Sasaki, Yasuhiro Ogura, and Jari-Matti Latvala, ran 358 laps, totaling 1,634 km during the race.
The developers had worked tirelessly to prepare the Corolla for the race, shedding 50 kg from the car, which drew significant media attention. The Corolla's development process was traced by Toyota Times News, covering various vehicle development stages.
The race marked the first time a car running on liquid hydrogen competed in racing. The main challenges faced during the development and race were related to the durability and reliability of the hydrogen fuel delivery system—specifically the pump—and the fuel tank capacity.
Earlier races had seen the pump that delivers liquid hydrogen from the fuel tank needing replacement twice during the 24-hour race, requiring over three hours of downtime each time. This significantly impacted continuous racing performance. However, engineering improvements in pump durability allowed the 2023 Corolla to complete the race without the need for pump replacement for the first time.
Switching to an elliptical tank design increased the hydrogen range by 50%, reducing pit stop frequency and improving race competitiveness. Addressing reliability issues beyond hydrogen systems was essential to improve race results.
The Corolla's attempt to break its previous record at Fuji International Speedway involved a long period of trial and error. Despite an unexpected setback when it caught fire during a test run at Fuji International Speedway in March, forcing it to drop out of the five-hour endurance race at Suzuka Circuit, the team persevered.
More generally, liquid hydrogen combustion engines must manage complex issues including controlling hydrogen combustion to avoid backfire and knock, ensuring efficient fuel-air mixing, and reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions—greenhouse gases still produced despite zero CO2 exhaust—demanding advanced engineering. Running liquid hydrogen in a pressurized, insulated system requires sophisticated thermal management and high-pressure fuel injection systems to maintain performance and safety under racing conditions.
Through these challenges, Toyota’s team progressed by enhancing pump durability, increasing tank capacity and refueling efficiency, and refining engine and fuel system technology. This culminated in the 2023 race where the hydrogen-powered Corolla completed 358 laps without pump replacement, maintaining competitive speeds throughout the 24-hour race and achieving an impressive finish in its class.
The Corolla's team received thunderous applause after the race, marking a significant milestone in the development and application of hydrogen technology in motorsport. The success of the hydrogen-powered Corolla demonstrates the potential of this clean energy source to compete with gasoline engines in endurance racing.
The success of Toyota's hydrogen-powered Corolla in the 24-hour race has opened doors for hydrogen technology in the automotive industry, potentially revolutionizing the way finance-backed transportation companies approach clean energy solutions. In light of the advancements made in technology to improve the durability and efficiency of hydrogen fuel systems, future races might see more extensive participation from manufacturers in the transportation and automotive sectors.
