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. [4] [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. Deliveries to retail consumers began in California in October 2015. [11] In the first half of 2016, Toyota planned to introduce the Mirai in the Northeastern States. [12] The Mirai was offered for retail purchase in the UK, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and Norway as of June 2016[update]. [13] Prices in Germany began at 60,000 (about US$75,140) + VAT (78,540). [14]
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Where can I buy a Toyota Mirai?
Would you like to spend five minutes watching James May painstakingly remove the cover off his brand-new car? Then watch this video where James May shows us the new car he bought to replace his previous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Mirai. James May’s decision to buy the brand-new Toyota Mirai suggests that he sincerely believes hydrogen fuel cell vehicles could be the way of the future. Let James explain how Toyota completely transformed its hydrogen-powered economy car into a full-fledged luxury car of the future before you protest that this is a little modification from the previous Mirai.
A special experiment was conducted with the first Toyota Mirai to introduce hydrogen fuel cell technology to a small group of early adopters in particular regions of the world. For instance, California is the only state in the US where you can buy a brand-new Mirai. If you think there is a shortage of infrastructure for electric vehicles, just wait till you try to locate a hydrogen filling station. It was time for Toyota to transform the Mirai into a genuinely attractive car and more of a status symbol when the proof of concept phase was finished.
Is the Toyota Mirai restricted to California only?
Toyota now produces a variety of electrified vehicles, from hybrids and plug-in hybrids to pure battery electrics and the hydrogen fuel cell Mirai, 23 years after the Prius hit the market. All of the company’s automobiles will be available in electric form by the year 2025. The automaker hopes the new Mirai will aid in achieving its goal of 25% of U.S. sales coming from EVs, which it has set for itself over a five-year period.
The chicken and egg issue with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is similar to that with battery electric vehicles. Although there aren’t many hydrogen refueling stations, without them automakers have been slow to create hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Hydrogen stations are still few and far between when compared to petrol stations, but that is beginning to change. California presently has the most public hydrogen stations of any state with 43. By the summer of 2022, another 21 are anticipated to be operational, including seven stations from the fuel supplier Iwatani in Southern California that will start to operate this summer.
The 2021 Mirai will only be offered in Los Angeles and San Francisco when it goes on sale this month due to the relative abundance of hydrogen stations in California. However, Toyota is offering 21 days of free rental automobiles for journeys that may depart from regions with easy access to hydrogen fuel. Additionally, the business will give out three years’ worth of hydrogen fuel.
Why would someone pick a hydrogen fuel cell car over a battery-powered one? The upfront cost of hydrogen fuel cell EVs is more in line with a comparable gas-powered vehicle because to the free fuel, a $4,500 rebate from the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, and a $8,000 federal tax credit.
Eight percent of Americans live in apartments, where they would not have access to EV chargers. They can instead refill at a public hydrogen station, which takes five minutes to fill up like a petrol station.
Moreover, wildfires. Hydrogen is still available because to its independence from the grid, even though California experiences a perpetual wildfire season that occasionally forces utilities to take preventative measures like shutting down.
Any new technology must outperform the one it aims to replace in order to be successful. Toyota makes a strong argument for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles with the 2021 Mirai that just might rescue the company from obscurity.
What is the price of a Toyota Mirai?
Toyota only offers the Mirai in two trim levels, the first of which is the Mirai XLE. It has a lot to offer and starts at $49,500. Both Mirais have motors with 182 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a single-speed transmission and RWD. The projected range difference between the XLE and the Limited is 402 miles.
Keyless entry and Toyota Smart Key, which enables remote car starting, are features of the Toyota Mirai XLE. Standard features include heated side mirrors, auto-leveling LED headlights, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The first row of the Toyota Mirai’s five synthetic leather seats includes basic heating.
There includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen that works with Apple, Android, and Amazon Alexa gadgets. The three USB charging connections are available to passengers, or they can wirelessly charge their iPhones. There are fourteen speakers in a high-end JBL audio system as standard.
Additionally, the Toyota Mirai XLE offers a Wi-Fi hotspot and navigation system. Forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance are all part of the standard safety package.
With so many amenities already included, it makes sense that the Toyota Mirai doesn’t offer many extras. The Toyota Mirai Limited, which has a suggested retail price of $66,000, comes with one optional package as standard.
Is hydrogen fuel less expensive than regular fuel?
Although hydrogen fuel is four times more expensive than gasoline and about $16 per gallon, it is far more efficient than gasoline.
Why is the Mirai priced so low?
The Toyota Mirai is one of only two hydrogen-powered automobiles that are currently being produced, making it relatively special. Although hydrogen technology is by no means new, it has only ever been utilized in concept cars, which makes Mirai a unique automobile.
We must examine every facet of operating and maintaining a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in order to comprehend why the Mirai is so inexpensive (FCV). Even if you have no plans to purchase a Mirai, I urge you to read this article because the concept behind it is both fascinating and ground-breaking.
The simple answer is that the Mirai is affordable due to the significant incentives provided when purchasing a new model, the most popular three-year lease with free fuel, a dearth of charging stations, and some consumer skepticism over the technology.
Where can hydrogen automobiles be refueled?
Hydrogen, the most prevalent element in the universe, is one of the cleanest and greenest fuels for motor vehicles. This is made possible by sophisticated fuel cell technology, which utilizes compressed hydrogen gas in electric vehicles. Hydrogen reacts electrochemically in a fuel cell to create electricity that powers the vehicle. Water vapor is the only waste material.
Fueling is Easy and Fast
On a full tank of hydrogen, fuel cell electric vehicles typically have a range of 300 miles or more, and they can refuel in 3 to 5 minutes. Fueling with hydrogen takes no longer or requires less effort than fueling a regular car. See how fuel cells are unique from other forms of electric vehicles.
The majority of hydrogen refueling stations are situated inside of already-existing gas stations and use dispensers with a similar appearance but a different nozzle and hose.
California has more than 40 hydrogen stations as of October 2019, and more stations are being built. The network is growing, but the stations that are now available are mostly concentrated in key markets and in places that would facilitate statewide and vacation travel.
Fueling Costs
Fuel cells are roughly 2.5 times more efficient than gasoline engines, despite the fact that hydrogen is currently more expensive than gasoline. The majority of fuel cell car manufacturers also give three years’ worth of free fuel with a vehicle as an added incentive.
Hydrogen Production
Since hydrogen is always bound to other elements, using it in a fuel cell requires separating and purifying the hydrogen through a procedure. This has numerous alternatives, and there are numerous sources of hydrogen, many of which are renewable and low- to zero-carbon.
In the current market, industrial gas businesses that make hydrogen from natural gas are the main suppliers of hydrogen. No of the technology utilized to produce hydrogen, fuel cells are so much more efficient than gasoline-powered engines that the overall greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced (at least by half).
California is a global leader in the production of hydrogen fuel that is 100% renewable, and there are numerous efforts in place to help with this goal.
Incentives
Electric vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells are eligible for numerous fantastic customer incentives. The biggest standard reimbursement offered by the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project for fuel cell electric vehicles is $5,000. Additionally eligible for the Clean Air Vehicle decal allowing solo access to carpool lanes are fuel cell vehicles. Find further advantages for electric vehicle owners in California.
What does it cost to refuel a hydrogen vehicle?
2) What is the price of a fill-up? The cost of the fuel isn’t low because the business is still in its early stages and is still learning how to store and transport hydrogen gas effectively. The price of one kilogram of hydrogen gas is roughly $16.
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.
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.
What is the price of a Toyota Mirai’s fill-up?
Some automobiles are pricey to buy, while others are pricey to own. The average price of hydrogen fuel is $16 per kilogram, thus filling up a Toyota Mirai might be rather expensive. Since the Mirai typically holds 5 pounds, your cost would be about $80.
It should be mentioned, nevertheless, that hydrogen fuel is significantly more effective than gasoline. On the interstate, a Mirai can do 71 miles per kilo, and 76 in the city.
Why do hydrogen cars flop?
Since the hydrogen needed to power the vehicle does not occur naturally, it must be harvested and compressed before being used in the fuel tanks, making hydrogen cars less efficient than electric vehicles. In the fuel cell, the hydrogen and oxygen combine to produce electricity that powers the vehicle.