Toyota started developing fuel cells at the same time that it created the first Prius, which was over 25 years ago, and the Mirai uses hybrid program technology. The solid-polymer electrolyte fuel cells utilized in the first and second generation Mirai cars were created by Toyota.
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Toyota Mirai: Does it consume gas?
A new era of zero-emission mobility powered by hydrogen has arrived with the Mirai.
The Japanese word for Mirai is “future,” yet in order for our innovative Toyota Fuel Cell System technology to be a success, it must be appealing to and available to people now. Despite having a cutting-edge drivetrain and utilizing a novel fuel, the Mirai is a typical mid-size, four-door sedan that is just as useful, secure, and simple to operate as a conventionally powered family car.
On a full tank of hydrogen, it will travel as far as a comparable-sized gasoline vehicle, and filling up from empty takes between three and five minutes. The benefits include a quiet, comfortable ride, high performance, and only water vapor emissions from the exhaust.
A interaction between hydrogen and oxygen generates energy in the Toyota Fuel Cell System seen in the Mirai.
In the same way that you purchase gasoline or diesel at a filling station, you refuel with hydrogen fuel. The fuel is kept in high-pressure tanks and pumped into a fuel cell stack, where the air’s hydrogen and oxygen interact to produce electricity.
Similar to a gasoline-electric hybrid, the voltage of the electricity is increased to power the electric motor. Every time the car brakes or slows down, more energy is stored in a battery, which results in even improved fuel efficiency.
We are the first company in the world to provide a system with a power density of 3.1 kW per liter thanks to our decades of research and development in hybrid electric technology.
The Toyota Mirai’s method of propulsion
The Fuel Cell Stack is where the hydrogen from the fuel tank and the air coming in through the intake grille meet. There, hydrogen and airborne oxygen react chemically to produce electricity that powers Mirai. The only residual product is water in the end.
Limited displayed in Hydro Blue with available 20-in. Aluminum alloy wheels finished in super chrome. Vehicle prototype with options displayed.
To find a filling station, visit the California Fuel Cell Partnership website.
The Toyota Mirai is what kind of vehicle?
The Toyota Mirai, also known as MIRAI in Japan and Toyota Mirai in Hepburn, is a mid-size hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) made by Toyota. It was one of the first FCV vehicles to be mass-produced and offered for sale on a wide scale.
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[5] At the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2014, the Mirai was presented. [6] Global sales reached 17,940 units as of December 2021 [update]; the top-selling markets were the United States with 9,274 units, Japan with 6,618 units, and the rest of the globe with 2,048 units. [7]
The 2016 model year Mirai has a total range of 502 km (312 mi) according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle on a full tank. The Mirai was the most fuel-efficient hydrogen fuel cell vehicle at the time and had the greatest range thanks to its MPG-equivalent combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 66 mpgUS (3.6 L/100 km; 79 mpgimp). [8] The second-generation Mirai broke the previous record in August 2021 by going 1,360 kilometres (845 mi) with a full tank of 5.65 kg hydrogen. [9]
Sales in Japan started on December 15th at Toyota Store and Toyopet Store locations for 6.7 million (about US$57,400). The Japanese government intends to provide a 2 million yen (about $19,600 USD) subsidy to aid in the commercialization of fuel-cell automobiles. [10] Before any government subsidies, retail sales in the United States started in August 2015 at a cost of US$57,500. In California, deliveries to retail consumers started in October 2015. [11] In the first half of 2016, Toyota planned to introduce the Mirai in the Northeastern States. [12] As of June 2016[update], the Mirai was available for retail sales in the UK, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and Norway. [13] Prices in Germany began at 60,000 (about US$75,140) + VAT (78,540). [14]
Is the Toyota Mirai a water-powered vehicle?
A more recent development in environmentally friendly vehicles is the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai, which is available at Irvine car dealerships. The only byproduct of these cars’ hydrogen-only operation is water. The Toyota dealers deem the Mirai’s technology and design to be quite advanced.
What is the price to fill up a Mirai?
In a perfect world, refueling a hydrogen car should take about the same amount of time as refueling a gasoline or diesel vehicle. Since the fuel is under pressure (up to 10,000 psi), you must lock the nozzle in place, but after you do that, you should be good to go. The pressure at the station, however, may really drop off momentarily if there are multiple automobiles waiting in line for hydrogen, slowing down everyone. If multiple cars use it in a sequence, the nozzle may also freeze, adhering to the cars and making removal more difficult until it thaws out.
Currently, it can be expensive to fill up a car with hydrogen, in part due to the lack of infrastructure. For instance, refueling the Mirai would run you roughly $90 per throw if you had to pay for it (by the kilogram). However, if all goes according to plan, you can drive around releasing only water, which is a pleasant perk.
Watch Tommy’s video below for additional information on the Mirai and what it’s like to live with it:
Is buying Mirai worthwhile?
The Mirai has a luxuriously smooth ride, a tastefully finished interior, and a sturdy construction. Because of its rear-wheel-drive design and superior weight distribution, it drives through curves with remarkable composure. The Mirai is slightly more expensive than its rivals, and both passenger and cargo space are constrained.
What is the price of a gallon of hydrogen fuel?
Although hydrogen fuel is four times more expensive than gasoline and about $16 per gallon, it is far more efficient than gasoline.
How long does a Toyota Mirai’s hydrogen fuel tank last?
A 2021 Toyota Mirai established a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by a fuel-cell vehicle without refueling by traveling 845 miles on a single hydrogen tank. There are a few restrictions on that record, though.
According to a press release from Toyota, the Mirai was primarily driven during rush hour. This allowed drivers to go very slowly, which increases the Mirai’s range. Additionally, it was mostly driven in Southern California loops rather than straight lines. According to Toyota, the record attempt took place during the two days of August 23 and 24, 2021, covering 473 miles on the first day and 372 miles on the second.
This was a very unusual driving style and was not at all practical in the actual world because the crew used hypermiling techniques to optimize range, such as turning off equipment and overinflating the tires.
The Mirai has a tank life of 357 miles in Limited form and 402 miles in XLE form, according to the EPA, with the LE earning higher fuel economy than the Honda Clarity. The figures obtained by Toyota, which are similar to a regular driving range that is more than double the EPA rating, won’t be experienced by most drivers.
Even yet, this is a noteworthy accomplishment all by itself. According to Toyota, the Mirai achieved 152 MPGe and traveled the distance on only 12.4 pounds of hydrogen. On a weight basis, that is less than the weight of two gallons of gas, or more than 420 mpg, with a gallon of fuel weighing roughly 6.3 pounds. The Mirai weights 4,255 pounds, which is significantly less than a comparable battery-electric vehicle for a large, premium sedan.
Additionally, Toyota claims that the Mirai produces “zero emissions” when driving and cleans the air.
A large portion of hypermiling entails, at the very least, traveling very slowly. But it’s a useful mental exercise to consider how much efficiency you might be giving up by adjusting to standard driving speeds and patterns.
Over the years, we’ve reported about a variety of hypermilers, such the Jaguar XJ-S driver who got 36 mpg or the pair that drove their Jetta TDI 9,505 miles across the United States while averaging 67 mpg. In a battery-electric vehicle, you may travel many, many more miles on a charge if you’re willing to drive slowly enough.
At least one possible fuel-cell device claims to have a 1,000-mile range while going to great lengths to achieve it. That supercar, the Hyperion XP-1, likewise boasts a stated top speed of 221 mph.
Stunts like the hypermiling one match Toyota’s continuing efforts to advance fuel cells. As part of kits to replace the diesel engines in Class 8 semi trucks, the business recently announced its intention to manufacture fuel-cell modules in the United States. As with previous record runs, this most recent experiment doesn’t really prove much, but the numbers are what matter.
How long is the Mirai battery good for?
How frequently should a 2022 Toyota Mirai battery be changed? Every 3 to 5 years, however, you should have your battery checked regularly for sharp voltage drops to ensure it’s performing at a reliable level. Unless you have a high-performance battery, car batteries typically carry 12 to 13 volts.
The Toyota Mirai has batteries, right?
Although the Mirai is an electric vehicle, it is powered primarily by fuel cells as opposed to batteries.
Up to 128kW of electricity can be sent through the system on demand by the fuel cell, which is located underneath the hood and resembles an engine. A 1.24kWh lithium-ion battery pack was also added, which was taken from the most recent Toyota hybrid vehicles.
That battery can supplement the power the fuel cell is producing and can deliver power more quickly.
That’s because the electric motor can generate up to 134kW and 300Nm, and the two outputs may occasionally be required for brief bursts of power.
Similar to a hybrid, regenerative braking energy is also stored in the battery pack, increasing the system’s total efficiency.
The benchmark time for 0-100 km/h is reasonable but not astounding at 9.2 seconds.
Even if the car fuel cell components weigh 1900 kg, the 300Nm of torque offers the most power when accelerating!
makes a cost.
Although the speedo is reaching triple digits, it is fine for commuting, and there is enough oomph to imply that driving on open roads won’t be a problem. The Mirai is more than capable of handling daily tasks and of fast and reliable acceleration, despite the fact that our brief drive was limited to suburban driving and a blat around a small test track.
The way it conducts itself is more striking. It is extremely uncommon in 21st-century sedans from major brands to have a single electric motor installed at the back of the vehicle driving the rear wheels. The Cressida was the final rear-wheel-drive Toyota sedan, and it was discontinued in the early 1990s.
Thus, even when applying full power, there is virtually little possibility of wheelspinning when pulling out of a tight corner or side street. Anyone who has driven a Hyundai Kona Electric or Nissan Leaf will appreciate the benefits there, as both are susceptible to an overly enthusiastic shriek of the inner front wheel.
The Toyota Mirai is battery-powered.
Several parts that are included in the 2021 Toyota Mirai support the fuel-cell powertrain. Let’s examine each component in turn. We begin with a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that has 330 cells and a 128 kW power output. This fuel cell is housed in an aluminum casing with a titanium separator and is situated under the front hoor. Next, there are three Type-Four hydrogen tanks with a combined weight of 24 kg, a maximum filling pressure of 87.5 MPa, a typical operational pressure of 70 MPa, and an H2 tank capacity of 5.6 kg. These tanks can be refueled in about five minutes.
The drive battery comes next. A 310.8V lithium ion battery is used to assist power the Toyota Mirai. The battery in question has a 1.24 kWh capacity, and its pack weighs 44.6 kg. A permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor with a maximum output of 182 horsepower and a torque level of 221 lb-ft is the following in the lineup. Rear-wheel drive is the Mirai’s standard form of propulsion. Not to mention, there are three different drive modes: ECO, Normal, and Sport.