While the Daihatsu FC Deco Deck might not have been the sexiest car to debut at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, it’s still worth a look due to its smarts. The Japanese automaker’s light truck sports a unique fuel cell that uses hydrazine-hydrate (hydrogen and nitrogen) instead of hydrogen as fuel. The FC Deco Deck also axes platinum, a staple of traditional fuel-cell vehicles, in favor of inexpensive and more commonly found materials.
The result is a light truck that doesn’t run on gas; it does, however, sport an on-board generator for emergency situations. While the truck is just a concept, its engine is intriguing and could be potentially be used to help boost the profile of fuel-cell vehicles.
Retooled Hydrogen Pickups
The Daihatsu FC Deco Deck is a Green Cargo Hauler
Trend Themes
1. Alternative Fuel Vehicles - The use of hydrazine-hydrate as fuel in FC Deco Deck pickups presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for alternative fuel vehicles.
2. Platinum-free Fuel Cells - Removing platinum from fuel cells in FC Deco Deck pickups opens up the potential for a less expensive and more accessible fuel cell technology.
3. Emergency-ready Vehicles - With an on-board generator for emergency situations, FC Deco Deck pickups could set a trend for pickup trucks as emergency-ready vehicles.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - The FC Deco Deck's technology presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the automotive industry in the development and production of alternative fuel vehicles.
2. Energy - The use of hydrazine-hydrate in FC Deco Deck pickups research could present a disruptive innovation opportunity for the energy industry in fuel cell technology.
3. Emergency Services - FC Deco Deck pickups present a potential disruptive innovation opportunity for emergency services and transportation to improve their preparedness with Emergency-Ready Vehicles.