Toyota unveils the Energy Observer: the world's first hydrogen-powered vessel

¡Toyota takes us sailing into the future aboard the world’s first hydrogen-powered vessel, the Energy Observer!

Toyota sponsors the world’s first hydrogen-powered vessel, the Energy Observer, launched in 2017 in Saint-Malo (France), is a completely autonomous vessel, capable of producing the hydrogen it needs to sail, taking one step further towards the incredible possibilities a future full of innovation has in store for us.

The Energy Observer becomes the first autonomous energy vessel based on hydrogen that emits neither greenhouse gases nor particles. Its engine runs on a combination of renewable gases and a hydrogen production system, which collects seawater without emitting carbon.ç

The Energy Observer is a revolutionary vehicle that serves as an example, generating energy with no negative effect on the atmosphere. It lays the groundwork for the development of future vehicles that are more efficient and applicable on a large scale.

This project has been a development challenge that took place over 6 years and will now have the opportunity to be tested in extreme conditions. The crew led by Victorien Erussard and Jerome Delafosse will also seek solutions to drive an ecological and energy transition.

The importance of Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the key to the Energy Observer project and the main motivation for Toyota to get involved in this ambitious challenge. The use of this technology reduces the total weight of the vessel by up to 50%, thanks to the absence of batteries.
Thanks to the application of hydrogen, the problem of intermittent energy supply both on land and at sea is overcome, since it allows surplus energy to be used and extends the autonomy of both mobile and fixed installations.

Toyota has set the joint goal of taking the Energy Observer to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. They have already made several trips: they sailed through France in 2017, the Mediterranean, and will do the northern coast of Europe in 2019.

In the words of the founder and captain of the Energy Observer, Victorien Erussard: “We are delighted to have Toyota Motor Europe on board for this mission. We share the vision of hydrogen as the key to accelerating the energy transition, a vision we want to take to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”

Toyota has been a pioneer in the use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source over the last 20 years, carrying out numerous tests to ensure the viability of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Hydrogen allows for great range, rapid refuelling and environmental care by not producing harmful emissions.

Without a doubt, Toyota surprises with this initiative, taking a step forward into the future which, with projects like this impressive vessel, seems to be getting closer and closer.