Toyota has developed a new fuel cell hybrid car that is able to travel for 516 miles before it needs filling up.

The FCHV-adv model was approved by the Japanese government earlier this week and runs on hydrogen and electricity.

An electric motor allows the car to switch between electric power and the hydrogen fuel cell in a similar way to how the Prius switches between an electric motor and a standard petrol engine.

Fuel efficiency has been improved by 25 per cent and along with other changes it can now start in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees.

The car will be available for leasing in Japan this year but it is not expected to go global yet, the Associated Press reports.

The fuel cell within the car works by running on the power created by the chemical reaction when hydrogen stored in a tank combines with oxygen and produces water.



Source:

Toyota develops new fuel cell hybrid, 06/06/08
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gEfH9poSJfZRQKYLYOLSuaDopuZQD914FR3O2