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,” but in order for our new 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 better fuel efficiency.
We are the first company in the world to produce a system with a power density of 3.1 kW per liter thanks to our decades of research and development in hybrid electric technology.
Is Mirai an electric car?
The Toyota Mirai is propelled by a so-called fuel-cell electric powertrain, in which the onboard fuel cellbasically a mobile chemical labconverts hydrogenwhich can really originate from cow poo among other sourcesinto energy. Fuel cells make electricity by extracting electrons from hydrogen atoms; the hydrogen then binds to oxygen to create water, while the electrons power the electric motor. As a result, an electric car is created that is powered by hydrogen from a pump as opposed to electrons from the country’s electrical power infrastructure. The 182 horsepower generated by the Mirai’s electric motor is all transferred to the rear wheels via a one-speed direct-drive transmission. Although Toyota states that the Mirai takes 9.1 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, when cruising about town, it feels more brisk than that. A surprising amount of agility is also delivered by the rear-wheel drive chassis while maintaining a smooth and composed ride.
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, a chemical reaction involving the oxygen in the air and hydrogen makes electricitypowering Mirai. The only residual product is water in the end.
Limited Hydro Blue models are offered with 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 (roughly 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] 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]
Is there a battery in the Toyota Mirai?
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.
The Toyota Mirai has a battery, right?
The fuel-cell powertrain of the 2021 Toyota Mirai is supported by a number of different parts. Let’s dissect each component one by one. Starting off, we have a polymer electrolyte fuel cell with 330 cells and a 128 kW output. Under the front hood, a titanium separator surrounds the fuel cell, which is housed in an aluminum case. The following set of tanks consists of three Type-Four hydrogen tanks, each of which can hold 5.6 kg of H2 and has a maximum filling pressure of 87.5 MPa, a typical operational pressure of 70 MPa, and a combined tank weight of 24 kg. Refueling these tanks simply takes a few minutes.
The drive battery is the next item. A lithium ion battery with a 310.8V voltage is used to power the Toyota Mirai. With a pack weight of 44.6 kg, this battery offers a 1.24 kWh capacity. The following electric motor is a permanent magnet AC synchronous model with a maximum output of 182 horsepower and a torque rating of 221 lb-ft. Rear-wheel drive is the Mirai’s default drivetrain configuration. Three different drive modes, including ECO, Normal, and Sport, are also available.
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.
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.
What is the lifespan of a hydrogen fuel cell?
According to the EPA, the current average range of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is between 312 and 380 miles. They will need to refill from empty, which will cost them roughly $80 (most drivers don’t allow their tanks run completely empty before refueling, so they usually only spend $55 to $65).
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 range of a Toyota Mirai?
The astounding EPA-estimated driving range of the new 2022 Toyota Mirai is achieved by fusing hydrogen with oxygen from ambient air. The hydrogen fuel tank that interacts with the air entering through the grille is at the center of the new Toyota Mirai 2022. From here, it flows to the fuel cell stack, where oxygen from the intake and hydrogen undergo a chemical reaction to produce electricity. This produces the power required to move the new Toyota Mirai in 2022. The new 2022 Toyota Mirai XLE and 2022 Toyota Mirai Limited both feature EPA-estimated driving ranges of up to 402 miles and 357 miles, respectively. Just consider how far you could go with a full tank. How far will you travel and where will you go?
What drawbacks come with driving a hydrogen vehicle?
- High costs for new cars
- elevated depreciation
- Charger issues could arise.
- Lack of infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles
- Limited selection of vehicles
- Technology is still developing.
- Large R&D expenditures are required.
- hefty fuel prices
- safety issues
- Making hydrogen could not be environmentally favorable.
Apart from a lack of gasoline stations, there is also a dearth of knowledge when it comes to repairs and maintenance in many car repair shops since most mechanics are not yet aware with this pretty new technology.
As a result, if you experience problems with your hydrogen engine, it might be difficult for you to locate a mechanic.
Can I refuel my automobile with hydrogen at home?
A three-car garage-sized space and nearly a million dollars’ worth of equipment would be needed to fill up a hydrogen car at home. Or, you could simply plug an electric vehicle into a power socket.
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.