This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33005362

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Battle of zero emissions cars: hydrogen or electric? Battle of zero-emissions cars: Hydrogen or electric?
(about 14 hours later)
When Toyota puts its considerable bulk behind a new technology, everyone should sit up and take notice.When Toyota puts its considerable bulk behind a new technology, everyone should sit up and take notice.
When it launched the first generation Prius back in 1997, many scoffed. It was ugly, not terribly efficient and distinctly uncool. Eighteen years later, Toyota has sold nearly five million Prius's, and it is now the best selling car in Japan. When it launched the first-generation Prius back in 1997, many scoffed. It was ugly, not terribly efficient and distinctly uncool. Eighteen years later, Toyota has sold nearly five million of the Prius, and it is now the best selling car in Japan.
And so enter the Toyota Mirai, the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell car. And so enter the Toyota Mirai, leading the charge for hydrogen vehicles, alongside Hyundai's ix35 model.
The, now rather tired, joke about hydrogen is that it is "the fuel of the future, and always will be".The, now rather tired, joke about hydrogen is that it is "the fuel of the future, and always will be".
Fuel cells were invented in the 1880s. They were used on the Apollo spacecraft back in the 1960s (remember Apollo 13's exploding hydrogen tank?). Fuel cells were invented in the 1880s and work by taking hydrogen fuel and reacting it with oxygen to produce electricity. The only waste product is water.
A fuel cell works by taking hydrogen fuel and reacting it with oxygen to produce electricity. The only waste product is water.
The problem with fuel cells has always been their cost, usually measured in millions of dollars.The problem with fuel cells has always been their cost, usually measured in millions of dollars.
Somehow, with the Mirai, which is the Japanese word for future, Toyota has managed to bring the price down to around $60,000 (£38,884) and to squeeze it all in to a family-sized car. Somehow, with the Mirai, which is the Japanese word for future, Toyota has managed to bring the price down to around $60,000 (£38,884) and to squeeze it all into a family-sized car.
'Big, heavy, expensive''Big, heavy, expensive'
The first thing you notice getting into the Mirai is its size. It is nearly 5 meters long. The first thing you notice getting into the Mirai is its size. It is nearly 5m long.
When trying to manoeuvre it out of the underground parking garage at Toyota's Tokyo headquarters I was convinced I would scrape the long nose against the concrete wall.When trying to manoeuvre it out of the underground parking garage at Toyota's Tokyo headquarters I was convinced I would scrape the long nose against the concrete wall.
It also feels heavy, because it is: nearly 2 tonnes. It also feels heavy, because it is: nearly two tonnes.
And then there is that price. It maybe cheap for the amazing technology packed in to it, but you can get a top of the range BMW 5 series or Mercedes E Class for less.And then there is that price. It maybe cheap for the amazing technology packed in to it, but you can get a top of the range BMW 5 series or Mercedes E Class for less.
It is big, heavy and expensive. So why is Toyota building this rather than, say, a battery powered electric vehicle? The short answer is range.It is big, heavy and expensive. So why is Toyota building this rather than, say, a battery powered electric vehicle? The short answer is range.
From Toyota's headquarters, I cruised silently down to Japan's first hydrogen filling station near to the Tokyo Tower. A full refill took just three minutes.From Toyota's headquarters, I cruised silently down to Japan's first hydrogen filling station near to the Tokyo Tower. A full refill took just three minutes.
Once back behind the wheel the Mirai's computer told me I could drive 350 kilometres before needing to fill up again. That is more than twice the range of most battery electric vehicles currently on the market. And that is just the beginning.Once back behind the wheel the Mirai's computer told me I could drive 350 kilometres before needing to fill up again. That is more than twice the range of most battery electric vehicles currently on the market. And that is just the beginning.
Bigger vehicles can have bigger hydrogen tanks and so longer range still. This is especially true for hydrogen fuelled trucks and long distance buses.Bigger vehicles can have bigger hydrogen tanks and so longer range still. This is especially true for hydrogen fuelled trucks and long distance buses.
Toyota clearly believes the age of zero emissions vehicles is here, and that hydrogen technology is going to be a big part of it.Toyota clearly believes the age of zero emissions vehicles is here, and that hydrogen technology is going to be a big part of it.
Nissan's electric betNissan's electric bet
That is a big contrast to Toyota's old rival down the road in Yokohama - Nissan.That is a big contrast to Toyota's old rival down the road in Yokohama - Nissan.
The boss of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, has not been shy about expressing his disdain for hydrogen. Instead, Nissan is betting on lithium ion batteries.The boss of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, has not been shy about expressing his disdain for hydrogen. Instead, Nissan is betting on lithium ion batteries.
Mr Ghosn also scoffs at the whole issue of "range anxiety" in battery electric vehicles.Mr Ghosn also scoffs at the whole issue of "range anxiety" in battery electric vehicles.
Speaking to him at the Tokyo motor show at the end of 2013 he gave me this response: "Where is all the hydrogen infrastructure?" he asked. "It doesn't exist, it still has to be built. Where is the electricity infrastructure? Everywhere!"Speaking to him at the Tokyo motor show at the end of 2013 he gave me this response: "Where is all the hydrogen infrastructure?" he asked. "It doesn't exist, it still has to be built. Where is the electricity infrastructure? Everywhere!"
This is a fair point. Right now, there is almost no hydrogen infrastructure anywhere.This is a fair point. Right now, there is almost no hydrogen infrastructure anywhere.
To recharge your electric car, on the other hand, all you need is a power socket. The downside is that most battery electrical vehicles now on the market not only have limited range, they take a long time to recharge: up to eight hours.To recharge your electric car, on the other hand, all you need is a power socket. The downside is that most battery electrical vehicles now on the market not only have limited range, they take a long time to recharge: up to eight hours.
But that is changing.But that is changing.
To find out how, I thought it only fair to take a look at Nissan's alternative to the Mirai - the Leaf.To find out how, I thought it only fair to take a look at Nissan's alternative to the Mirai - the Leaf.
The Leaf is not new; it's already been on sale for four years. It has come in for its fair share of criticism; that its real world range is much shorter than Nissan's claims and that its battery life deteriorates faster.The Leaf is not new; it's already been on sale for four years. It has come in for its fair share of criticism; that its real world range is much shorter than Nissan's claims and that its battery life deteriorates faster.
'Range anxiety''Range anxiety'
Once behind the wheel, the Leaf is immediately impressive.Once behind the wheel, the Leaf is immediately impressive.
It feels and drives just like a normal family hatchback, except it is completely silent, and has rather astonishing acceleration. You very quickly learn that using that acceleration kills its range.It feels and drives just like a normal family hatchback, except it is completely silent, and has rather astonishing acceleration. You very quickly learn that using that acceleration kills its range.
Driving a battery car requires delicacy. You must stroke the accelerator rather than jamming it to the floor. But even with the gentlest of right feet, you will struggle to get more than 150 km from one charge. Driving a battery car requires delicacy. You must stroke the accelerator rather than jamming it to the floor. But even with the gentlest of right feet, you will struggle to get more than 150km from one charge.
This is where technology again steps in.This is where technology again steps in.
Nissan's satellite navigation software tells you where all the charging stations are. Alternatively, you can press a button on the dash and the car will call a Nissan operator who can track your Leaf via GPS and tell you how to get to the nearest "quick-charge" station.Nissan's satellite navigation software tells you where all the charging stations are. Alternatively, you can press a button on the dash and the car will call a Nissan operator who can track your Leaf via GPS and tell you how to get to the nearest "quick-charge" station.
"Quick charge" must be the future for battery-powered cars, and the key to ending range anxiety."Quick charge" must be the future for battery-powered cars, and the key to ending range anxiety.
Unlike your home electricity supply (which runs on 110 or 240 volts AC), quick charging stations supply 500 volts DC at a much higher current of 125 amps. Because of that, it can recharge your battery much faster.Unlike your home electricity supply (which runs on 110 or 240 volts AC), quick charging stations supply 500 volts DC at a much higher current of 125 amps. Because of that, it can recharge your battery much faster.
Using one just outside Yokohama we managed to refill the Leaf's battery to 80% in just 25 minutes.Using one just outside Yokohama we managed to refill the Leaf's battery to 80% in just 25 minutes.
Hydrogen vs electricHydrogen vs electric
Right now, Toyota is alone in going for hydrogen power, although Honda says it will soon follow. Right now, Toyota and Hyundai are both betting on hydrogen power. Honda says it will soon follow.
And the Mirai is not about to change the world over night. Just 700 will be made this year. If you order one now, the soonest it will arrive on your driveway is 2018. But these new models are not about to change the world overnight. Just 700 of the Mirai will be made this year. If you order one now, the soonest it will arrive on your driveway is 2018.
If you want a battery car, on the other hand, there is much more choice and it is cheaper.If you want a battery car, on the other hand, there is much more choice and it is cheaper.
You can get the Leaf for around $26,000.You can get the Leaf for around $26,000.
Last year, BMW launched the impressive i3. Ford, Volkswagen, Renault, Kia and Mercedes are all following with their own battery electric vehicles. Last year, BMW launched the impressive i3. Renault's Zoe model already offers a more affordable option. Ford, Volkswagen, Kia and Mercedes are all following with their own battery electric vehicles.
And then there is the Tesla S, the most expensive and luxurious battery car yet. The Tesla also has a range of more than 400 kilometres on one charge.And then there is the Tesla S, the most expensive and luxurious battery car yet. The Tesla also has a range of more than 400 kilometres on one charge.
The really exciting thing about all of this, battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell, is that, after decades of false starts, the era of zero emissions vehicles has finally arrived - and, in the opinion of this test driver, they seem pretty good.The really exciting thing about all of this, battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell, is that, after decades of false starts, the era of zero emissions vehicles has finally arrived - and, in the opinion of this test driver, they seem pretty good.