Mar. 11, 2017
To Carry You in Our Hearts: Disaster-Ready Vehicle Technologies
The first two stanzas of the poem "i carry your heart" by Poet e.e. cummings goes,
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
Indeed, to carry in our hearts is, and has been, the overarching theme of our initiative towards helping to revitalize the Tohoku region, which had been the hardest hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11 six years ago. Written in Japanese, the Kokoro Hakobu (to carry, or deliver one's heart) Project had been implemented in 2011, consisting of a variety of initiatives ranging from social-contribution activities to the strengthening of manufacturing activities within the Tohoku region.
One of the key lessons learnt from the disaster six years ago was the pressing need for electricity, for both rescue efforts and adapting to the harsh cold climates of the Tohoku region. This led to the understanding that makeshift and disaster-ready technologies are critical resources which cannot be discounted. Toyota has thus, taken this into serious consideration when developing new vehicles.
The result? New vehicle technologies which have been introduced across Toyota's vehicles, ranging from the Toyota Fuel-Cell System (TFCS) to the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) technology among others. These vehicles serve a dual purpose―as a mode of transportation and more importantly, as power generators which would prove indispensable during emergencies. The vehicles have an important role to play―providing a constant sense of security that if a disaster strikes, communities and households are confident that there are safety mechanisms in place.
In commemoration of the sixth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Toyota would like to create awareness of the development vehicle technologies which double up as strong and durable power generators during emergencies. Here, we trace the development from the first steps of providing hybrid vehicles when the disaster had first occurred, to the next stage of developing the Toyota Fuel Cell System that is equipped with a larger power generating capacity and finally, the refinement of the Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) system that is resilient with its self-sufficient solar power generating system. These then all culminate in the establishment of a Japan-wide program which seeks to incorporate and utilize all of these technologies during the emergencies.
One of the initiatives within the Kokoro Hakobu Project was the provision of hybrid vehicles which were capable of supplying electricity externally. Approximately 40 units of the then third-generation Prius hybrid vehicles were provided to the Tohoku region prefectures.
Hybrid vehicles which are able to supply electricity for external use had been the result of suggestions by customers in the designing of vehicles which are more useful in the event of emergencies, particularly large-scale ones. Japan is no stranger to natural disasters, as the country sits on four tectonic plates, along the horseshoe shaped Pacific Ring of Fire. Being located amidst such precarious conditions only serves to reinforce the need for the country and its residents to constantly be disaster-ready.
With valuable feedback from customers who had found the ability of the hybrid system to generate electricity invaluable during emergencies, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has been finding ways to incorporate and expand this feature into more of our hybrid lineups.
The basic tenet of the hybrid system allows for a maximum output of 1.5 kW, where the power-supply system can be used to run a variety of household appliances. A vehicle with a full tank is able to supply electric power at maximum output for approximately two days.
In being mindful of the lessons learnt from the first-hand experience of what had occurred six years ago in Tohoku, Toyota had moved towards the next stage in vehicle technology development―the Toyota Fuel Cell System. Its larger battery capacity means that a more durable and stable alternative electricity source during disasters can be relied upon.
In true Toyota fashion, the spirit of kaizen propels us to serve the needs of our customers while also prioritizing the improvement of the quality of their lives. One such way was the introduction of the fuel cell Mirai sedan which was launched at the end of 2014.
Figure 1. The Fuel Cell Mirai Sedan
While the primary objective of the hydrogen-fuelled vehicle is to enhance the Mirai's capabilities as an environmentally friendly vehicle that does not emit CO2 or SOCs (Substances of Concern) emissions, it is the very same technology of the Toyota Fuel Cell System which allows it to double up as an even more powerful power generator relative to its hybrid counterpart. Toyota's fuel cell technology features both elements of the fuel cell and hybrid technologies, including the use of Toyota's proprietary FC Stack and high-pressure hydrogen tanks.
This relates to an energy output capacity of approximately 60 kWh and the maximum power output at 9 kW. The electricity generated by the fuel cell stack can be utilized as an essential power source for homes and electrical products under extreme conditions. Suffice to say, with a higher output capacity, the Toyota Fuel Cell System provides for a more durable and lasting power generating source in the face of emergencies.
Figure 2. The Mirai being used as an electricity generator for heaters
Toyota has also used the Toyota Fuel Cell System in the development of the Toyota FC Bus. Delivered for use by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in early 2017, the Toyota FC Bus uses a high-capacity external power supply system. It is capable of a 7.2 kW maximum output, and a large capacity of electricity supply at 235 kWh thanks to its 10 high pressure hydrogen tanks.
Figure 3. The Toyota Fuel Cell Bus in Tokyo
Simply put, the power generated can be used as a power source in larger evacuation sites such as school gymnasiums or community halls, in addition to similar uses with the Toyota hybrid vehicles or Mirai sedan. The scale and durability of these FC vehicles is a significant development, bringing earthquake contingency planning to the next level where it could extend from individual households to the broader community of a larger scale, thus serving as a more stable and reliable power source.
Toyota has actively worked towards making environmentally-friendly cars even more readily available. In the 20 years since the launch of the first generation hybrid Prius, our vision has also expanded, where we have renewed our commitment to contribute to society in the best manner possible. The new generation Prius PHV which was just launched in late February 2017 in Japan espouses this renewed vision.
With the doubling of the battery's energy output capacity to approximately 8.8 kWh, and a maximum output of electricity charge standing at 1.5 kW (output is equivalent to that of hybrid vehicles), the Prius PHV is capable of generating approximately 4 days' worth of electricity used in an average household.
Figure 4. Demonstration of the first generation Prius PHV as a power generator
Figure 5. External power usage
And the usefulness of the new generation PHV disaster-readiness doesn't just stop here.
One additional feature which is available for the Japanese and European versions of the new Prius PHV also features an advanced solar recharging system installed on the roof. This world's first solar charging system in mass-produced cars is capable of supplying energy from sunlight to the traction battery while the vehicle is parked, allowing for an estimated maximum driving distance of 6.1 km per day.
Figure 6. Solar panel roof on the new generation Prius PHV
This development in particular is significant, as the solar recharging system circumvents the need for the vehicle to run on electricity and/or gasoline which may not be readily available during emergencies. However, with the solar recharging system, customers are able to remain mobile, unrestrained by the lack of fuel. The potential of this system naturally extends to rescue efforts when mobility to different parts of the affected regions may be critical.
Being continuously prepared is part and parcel of our daily lives, particularly for communities in areas which are extremely prone to natural disasters, such as Japan.
Toyota's priority has always been on ensuring the safety of our customers as well as our extended communities, and providing forms of service is a commitment dear to our hearts. By carrying the experience of the March 11 disaster in our hearts, we have also looked towards the future by recruiting Toyota group companies and Toyota dealers across Japan to the Toyota Emergency Electric Supply program, which is expected to start in the near future.
The tentative details of this program outlines the nation-wide provision of these company-owned Toyota vehicles which are capable of doubling up as electricity generators―such as the aforementioned hybrid, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles―in times of emergencies. It also helps to raise our ability to be responsive in a speedy manner should a disaster strike. In order to raise awareness of the availability of such a program, and instill this in the minds of communities of the available resource, a special symbol defined by a light bulb has been designed by Mizuno Manabu of the good design company in Japan.
Figure 7. Toyota Emergency Electricity Supply Symbol
Toyota will continue to bring with us the experiences of the March 11 disaster with us, to relentlessly think of ways where we can contribute, to serve and strengthen a society that is not just resilient, but capable of responding to any disaster. The utmost priority is to keep our communities secure, leaving all with a peace of mind that regardless the disaster, there are stable and reliable mechanisms in place.
Just like how the same poem by e.e. cummings rounds off,
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
Without a doubt, we will continue to carry in our hearts the hearts of the communities affected, whose strength is an inspiration for all of us here at Toyota with their continued resilience.
