June 9, 2008 - Toyota has made big leap forward in hybrid engine technology, designing a fuel-cell hybrid car that can drive twice as far per tank as its predecessor.

Test results, certified in Japan last week, confirm that Toyota's new Advanced Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV-adv) can drive more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas.

Engineers achieved the fuel-efficiency milestone by boosting fuel cell performance and durability, enhancing the regenerative brake system, and reducing energy consumed by the auxiliary system, according to Toyota. Incorporating Toyota's new high-pressure hydrogen storage tank technology has also doubled the vehicle's cruising range.

The car can also operate more effectively in colder climates, thanks to an improved engine component that prevents condensed water from interfering with electricity generation at low temperatures.

"Such an increase in cruising range and operating temperatures has big implications for the future, as the benefits of fuel cell hydrogen technology start to overshadow petrol engines and brings the world that much closer to viability and mass consumption," Toyota said in a statement.