As far as alternative-fuel technology goes, Toyota is best known for its fuel-sipping Prius petrol-electric hybrid, but the car-making giant has released the first pics and details of its latest and greatest eco champion.

Pictured here is the just-unveiled Toyota FCHV-adv (fuel cell hybrid vehicle-advanced), and while its previous-gen Kluger bodyshell is distinctly old-hat, lurking below is the company's newly designed high-performance Toyota FC Stack.

The big payoff is that it more than doubles the cruising range of its predecessor model -- from 330km to about 825km.

For those not in the know, a fuel-cell stack works by combining hydrogen and oxygen to form water vapour, and it's this chemical reaction that generates the electricity to power the electric motor that actually propels the vehicle.

We should point out that although this tech isn't as yet offered for mainstream public consumption, it's only a matter of time before it becomes mass-market fare.

Toyota says it reaped a 25 per cent improvement in fuel consumption through improving fuel cell unit performance, enhancing the regenerative brake system and reducing energy consumed by the auxiliary system.

The vehicle is also equipped with new high-pressure hydrogen tanks, which is partly the reason why it's able to travel double the distance of its forerunner on a single tank of fuel.

The world's No 1 carmaker says the FCHV-adv has also overcome the low-temperature start issues typically associated with fuel cell vehicles.

The building block of the Toyota FC Stack is the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), where engineers focused on the basic problem of internally produced water interfering with electrical generation within the MEA at low temperatures.

As a result, claims Toyota, the FCHV-adv can start and operate in cold regions at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius, meaning the vehicle can be used in a wider variety of conditions and climates than existing fuel-cell vehicles.

While steadily conducting research and development to resolve issues such as how to improve the durability and reduce costs of the Toyota FC Stack, Toyota says it is working with government, energy companies and other concerned parties to actively bring about widespread fuel cell vehicle use.

The Toyota FCHV-adv acquired vehicle-type certification from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on June 3.

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