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Instead of pulling into the gas station, drivers of the future might pull into hydrogen fueling stations, according to Robert Wimmer, national manager of the energy and environmental research group of Toyota Motors North America.

Delegates at the 35th annual North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference this week at Pennsylvania College of Technology got an up-close look at what the future of automotives could bring - and representatives from Toyota were proud to show off their hydrogen fuel cell vehicle prototype.

Wimmer said the vehicle takes hydrogen gases and feeds them into a fuel cell where they combine with oxygen from the air. That reaction generates electricity which powers the vehicle, Wimmer said.

Rather than carbon dioxide being released from the tailpipe, Wimmer said the only emission the vehicle creates is water, making it more environmentally friendly.

"It's quite fascinating technology," Wimmer said.

Wimmer said the 125 horsepower, four-cylinder model - the sixth generation Highlander Hybrid - gets about 50 to 60 miles per kilogram of hydrogen. It can carry about 3 kilograms total in its four tanks and travel about 150 miles on a full tank. Another prototype is in development that should be able to run about 400 miles before re-fueling, Wimmer said.

Hydrogen, Wimmer said, can be made from "almost anything ... that can make electricity," such as coal and natural gas.

"It will help with energy security," Wimmer said.

Toyota has been developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for about a decade, Wimmer said, though consumers likely won't be able to get their hands on one "for at least a decade."

One obstacle, Wimmer said, is a lack of hydrogen fueling stations nationwide. Wimmer also said the prototype has some difficulty starting in very cold temperatures. The next generation in development has been starting at colder temperatures, however, giving the company more insight as to how to best work out that issue.

The price tag also has to come down to a more consumer-friendly level, Wimmer said. The prototype, he said, costs "under $1 million."

Wimmer said for now, the main use of the prototype and other hybrid models in development, is to "put miles on them" and collect data from their use that can be used in developing future models for consumer use.

Tony Martin, a NACAT delegate from the University of Alaska, said he saw an earlier Toyota Highlander Hybrid at a previous NACAT conference.

"I tip my hat to these guys for their forward thinking," Martin said, saying he thinks the nation is "still a way's away" from having that type of vehicles in the mainstream. "But I think people are sensing there's a change going on."

Wimmer said Toyota's "next step" in looking to develop more advanced automotive technologies will explore "plug in" vehicles.

The NACAT conference continues until Friday. About 210 educators are participating in the weeklong conference themed "Energize Your Future."