Hydrogen

The second-generation Toyota Mirai will be launched in 2020, Takeshi Uchiyamada, the Japanese automaker's chairman, has confirmed. According to Reuters, Uchiyamada made the revelation in Tokyo at meeting on hydrogen energy with ministers from around the world. We don't know anything about the second-generation Mirai's drivetrain, but it's possible it could use some of the hydrogen fuel-cell technology being developed jointly with BMW.

Around 5.30pm on Monday June 10, local time, an explosion took place at the hydrogen refuelling station in Sandvika, a city around 15km south of Oslo, Norway. State broadcaster NRK reports emergency services established a 500 metre exclusion zone around the hydrogen station. With the station located near the intersection of two highways, both were shutdown for several hours as authorities tried to contain the situation.

South Korea is seemingly set to require commercial vehicles in the country – including trucks and construction equipment – to use hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrains by 2035. The move is designed to counter “serious fine dust problems” in the country not helped by diesel emissions, according to The Korea Herald. The plan was apparently released by Transport Minister-nominee Choi Jeong-ho and Yoon Kwan-seok of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.

A new inquiry into the use of automation in mass-transit systems around Australia has been announced, as the Infrastructure, Transport and Cities Committee looks to make public transport "better, stronger and faster" going forward. The inquiry, which will also investigate the role new fuel sources like hydrogen and electric power can play on road, rail and point-to-point delivery vehicles going forward, is accepting submissions until December 7, 2018.

Kia Europe has confirmed it will add a plug-in hybrid version of its all-new Ceed Sportswagonduring the second half of next year, with further models tipped to get electrified powertrains in the near future as well.