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. 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]
In This Article...
Where can I buy a Toyota Mirai?
The Mirai is only accessible in California due to the restricted number of hydrogen fuelling stations and the fact that it is an electric car, making it eligible for both federal and state rebates.
Is it possible to buy a Toyota Mirai?
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (also known as MSRP) of $50,525 is cheaper than the cost of the 2022 Toyota Mirai XLE 4dr Sedan (electric (fuel cell) CVT). A new 2022 Toyota Mirai XLE 4dr Sedan with an electric (fuel cell) CVT is typically purchased for $435 less than the MSRP.
Is California the only state where the Toyota Mirai is sold?
Toyota today produces a variety of electrical 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 quantity 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.
Do hydrogen cars exist in the US?
Only a few hydrogen-powered cars are currently on the market in the USA. These are the things you should be aware of before purchasing a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, so if you’re thinking about getting one, take a look at these advantages and disadvantages first.
Pros
- good range and fuel efficiency
- Environmentally responsible and emissions-free performance
- FCEVs have some distinctiveness and rarity.
- Usually, they come with lengthy warranties
- Timely and practical refueling
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.
Why aren’t hydrogen cars more widely used?
The most aggravating aspect of hydrogen fuel cell automobiles is undoubtedly this. The entire point of a hydrogen vehicle is that it produces no emissions when compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle, but the great bulk of the energy required to produce hydrogen—which must be mined or manufactured using existing resources because it is not a resource—comes from natural gas. And this won’t change any time soon, and for a very simple reason: since natural gas hydrogen production is inexpensive, cheaper pricing for consumers will follow from it. Customers will select the less expensive hydrogen if given the choice between pricey hydrogen produced by the wasteful use of renewable energy sources and cheaper hydrogen.
The Bosch Automotive Handbook claims that using natural gas to make hydrogen doesn’t necessarily result in lower CO2 emissions than using gasoline, diesel, or other internal combustion engine fuels. So why even do it? The further justifications are not necessary, but I’ll still mention them.
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.
How much does it cost to put hydrogen in a tank?
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).
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 modern fuel cell technology, which utilizes compressed hydrogen gas in electric automobiles. 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.
Toyota Mirai
Since the Japanese word for the Mirai is “the future,” Toyota has certainly got huge plans for it. Its svelte and fashionable appearance complements its superb handling, but it is expensive and scarce; just 15 will be made available in the UK in 2020, with prices starting at 65,000 before the Government’s subsidy of 3,500 for ultra-low emission vehicles.
Honda Clarity
Clarity obviously refers to the fact that Honda’s first fuel-cell car emits no pollutants, but this isn’t the only advantage it has. The Clarity has enticingly quick performance, top-notch engineering, a wide range, and comfort. Sadly, it isn’t even available for leasing in the UK yet.
Hyundai Nexo
The Nexo, which is a follow-up to the Hyundai ix35 FCEV, has a fantastic assured range of 414 miles, with even longer distances being conceivable due to regenerative braking. For a whopping 68,000, you’d think that at the very least it can filter the air surrounding it, according to the South Korean maker.
Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell
Mercedes’ initial attempt at an FCEV, the GLC F-Cell, seems promising so far. With 4.4kg of hydrogen stored in the tank, it boasts a 478km range and a potent 155kWh output. The most significant factor is that 90% less platinum has been utilized, which might make it very economical.
BMW hydrogen X5
The X5, which is expected to go into production in 2022, will feature a total power of 368 bhp, 6 kg of hydrogen in its dual H-tanks, and regenerative braking to support the battery. According to reports, refueling takes three to four minutes, thus this might be a highly competitive service in the future.