Toyota's fuel-cell car could arrive in 2014, ahead of schedule

Hydrogen-powered car expected to fetch around $78,000.

Development of Toyota's fuel-cell car is reportedly progressing ahead of schedule, bringing the potential launch window back into late 2014.

The company is said to be preparing to manufacture dozens of the vehicles each month at its Motomachi plant in Japan, with commercial production beginning in mid December, unnamed sources have told The Japan Times.

The latest report suggests Toyota may be planning to sell the car for around 8 million yen (~$78,000 USD), which is slightly below previous rumors of a $100,000 price tag. The company is said to be hoping for a price drop into the $29,000 to $49,000 range by 2020.

Hyundai recently launched its Tucson Fuel Cell in the US market, available initially in California via lease only for $499 per month with $2,999 down. Honda is also in the race to launch a fuel-cell vehicle in 2014, possibly as early as November.

Based on the FCV concept, Toyota's fuel-cell car will also likely be targeted at California due to the availability of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.