Electric vehicles (EVs) seem to be the key to solving our climate crisis, or is it? Toyota's hydrogen combustion engine that powered this GR Yaris is proof that the answer to the global climate crisis can and should be a multi-solution approach.

Unlike cars such as the Toyota Mirai, wherein the hydrogen fuel is then converted to electricity, this experimental GR Yaris combusts hydrogen rather than dinosaur juice, which means the characteristics of an ICE such as its throaty engine noise are still preserved.

As a matter of fact, this hydrogen-powered prototype is expected to perform largely the same as the standard GR Yaris that has won the hearts of numerous car enthusiasts. It still has a slick 6-speed manual and a capable GR-Four all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

The only major differences are obviously in its powertrain and the fuel tank that's borrowed from the Mirai. The G16E-GTS three-cylinder turbo engine it uses is largely the same as the one in the standard GR Yaris, except for the different fuel supply and injection system in order to burn hydrogen. Toyota, however, did not release any of the modified engine's power or torque figures.

Apart from the obvious environmental benefits of having a hydrogen combustion engine, Toyota also says that hydrogen combusts at a much faster rate compared to gasoline, which as a result, makes this engine more responsive than a conventional ICE.

This isn't actually the first time that we've heard this engine. Toyota entered a Corolla that's powered by this engine at the Super Taikyu endurance racing series in Japan. While the car did not win its class due to numerous pit lane visits to solve a number of issues along with refueling stops, it did finish the 24-hour race.

Toyota is one of the few automakers who are solving the climate crisis through a multi-solution approach, which I think is how it should be done in the first place in spite of the flak that the company receives for its reluctance on EVs.