Toyota FCHV-adv Fuel-Cell Hybrid Kicks Off

In a decidedly unsexy move, Toyota on Friday said it will begin leasing its new fuel-cell hybrid, the Toyota FCHV-adv, to Japan's Ministry of the Environment on September 1.
In stark contrast, rival Honda has been leasing its Honda FCX Clarity to such stars as actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who took delivery of the alt-fuel vehicle in early August.

The lease term for Toyota's FCHV-adv is for 30 months and costs ¥840,000 per month, the equivalent of $7,713, the automaker noted.

Toyota said the leasing program for its five-passenger advanced fuel-cell hybrid will allow it to "obtain real-world feedback for further development, including efforts to improve the durability and reduce the cost of its proprietary high-performance polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the Toyota FC Stack."

The automaker said the leasing program with the government is "aimed at helping to bring about the widespread use of fuel-cell vehicles."

Toyota said its advanced fuel-cell hybrid, which is fueled by hydrogen, has a maximum cruising range of 472-516 miles. It has a maximum speed of 96 mph. The vehicle, which uses a nickel-metal hydride battery, weighs in at 4,144 pounds.
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