Sylvie Willis
Toyota has been working towards creating a greener and more inclusive society since its founding in 1937. The company has been promoting various initiatives in the areas of Create, Transport, Store, and Use hydrogen in relation to its R&D activities. Toyota's Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are crucial in delivering zero emissions across many kinds of road transport, from passenger cars such as the Mirai, to vans, trucks and buses. The latest generation of the Mirai, launched in 2021, takes FCEV technology to a higher level with a lightweight and powerful design, intelligent packaging, and improved aerodynamic efficiency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Name | Mirai |
| Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology | Hydrogen and oxygen fuse to produce electricity to power an electric motor |
| Emissions | Zero emissions, with water as the only by-product |
| Refuelling Time | Less than 5 minutes |
| Driving Range | 402 miles (estimated) to 650 km |
| Safety Features | Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Emergency Driving Stop System |
| Technology | Proactive Driving Assist, Human Machine Interface |
| Carbon Neutrality | Yes, Toyota is committed to achieving carbon neutrality with its products and services |
| Hydrogen Society | Toyota is actively working towards a hydrogen society by collaborating with partners in various industries |
| Development | Toyota has been developing hydrogen FCEVs since 1992 and launched the Mirai in 2014 |
| Sales | Approximately 28,000 units of the Mirai have been sold across more than 30 countries and territories |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen as a fuel for carbon neutrality
Hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution in the quest for carbon neutrality. With its ability to generate clean energy, facilitate efficient energy storage, and enable seamless energy delivery, hydrogen offers a viable alternative to conventional energy systems. The combustion of hydrogen yields only water vapour, making it a clean and versatile option for various applications, including vehicle fuel and industrial feedstock.
Toyota's Mirai, a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), exemplifies the potential of hydrogen as a green fuel. Mirai, which means 'future' in Japanese, showcases how hydrogen from the fuel tank and oxygen from the air can undergo a chemical reaction to produce electricity, resulting in zero emissions and water as the only by-product. This innovative technology not only reduces carbon emissions but also provides a driving range of up to 402 miles on a full tank, making it a practical and environmentally friendly choice.
The advantages of hydrogen as a fuel extend beyond the automotive industry. Hydrogen can play a crucial role in decarbonising challenging sectors such as heavy industry and long-distance transport. Additionally, it can facilitate the integration of renewable energies into the energy grid, making it easier to adopt sustainable practices. Hydrogen's unique properties, such as high energy density and clean combustion, make it an attractive option for a wide range of applications.
Furthermore, advancements in hydrogen production methods are pivotal to achieving carbon neutrality. Processes like water electrolysis, using renewable energy sources, are key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other innovative techniques include photocatalytic water splitting, high-temperature electrolysis, and chemical looping, each assessed for their environmental footprint and alignment with carbon-neutral objectives. The development and implementation of these technologies are essential steps towards a more sustainable future.
While hydrogen offers exciting possibilities for a transition away from fossil fuels, it also presents certain challenges. For instance, faster action is required to increase demand for low-emissions hydrogen and accelerate investment in production scale-up. Additionally, regulatory frameworks and certification schemes are being developed to determine the GHG emissions associated with the hydrogen supply chain. Despite these challenges, the momentum behind hydrogen is strong, with 60 governments, including the European Union, adopting hydrogen strategies.
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Safety and performance of Toyota's fuel cell system
Toyota has been investing in fuel cell technology since 1992. The company's third-generation fuel cell system (3rd Gen FC System) is designed to meet the needs of the commercial sector with improved performance, including fuel efficiency and cost reduction, compared to its previous versions. The 3rd Gen FC System is also more durable and has a maintenance-free design.
The Toyota Fuel Cell Module uses PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) technology. This technology transforms the chemical energy released during the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. The only by-product of this process is water, which is recycled back into the membrane to humidify it. This eliminates the need for a separate humidifier.
Toyota's fuel cell system has been designed to ensure safety relating to the use of hydrogen and high voltage. The system implements a range of precautions to prevent hydrogen leaks. In the unlikely event of a leak, it is immediately detected and stopped. The module is designed to work in diverse operating environments, including low and high temperatures, high altitudes, and high-vibration conditions.
The Mirai, Toyota's Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), offers advanced safety and performance features. The Mirai provides a driving range of up to 402 miles when fully fueled with hydrogen. It features Proactive Driving Assist (PDA), which uses the vehicle's camera and radar to provide gentle braking and steering assistance for tasks such as distance control. The Mirai also includes Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), which issues audio/visual warnings and provides corrective steering if the driver inadvertently departs from their lane. Additionally, the Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) work together to keep the vehicle centered in its lane. The Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) monitors the driver's inputs and can bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver is not attentive and does not respond to prompts.
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Environmental impact of Toyota's fuel cell cars
Toyota's Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are designed to be environmentally friendly. The company's vision is to achieve carbon neutrality and create a better world. The Toyota Mirai, for example, is a FCEV that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell stack. This process produces zero emissions, with water as the only by-product. The Mirai has also been designed with improved fuel efficiency, allowing for a 20% increase in cruising range.
Toyota has been working towards the development and adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology for many years. Since 1992, the company has been developing hydrogen FCEVs, and in 2014, it introduced the Mirai sedan to the world markets. The latest generation of the Mirai, launched in 2021, features a redesigned fuel cell system that is lighter and more powerful, extending the driving range to around 650 kilometres with no emissions other than water. The Mirai also offers rapid refuelling, taking less than five minutes to refuel the hydrogen tank.
Toyota's FCEVs are not limited to passenger vehicles like the Mirai. The company has also been supplying FC systems for other applications, including buses, railroads, and stationary power generators since 2019. For example, the Energy Observer, a boat equipped with a Toyota fuel cell, is energy autonomous and zero-emission. Additionally, Toyota is collaborating with partners to implement FC systems in the commercial sector, particularly in Tokyo and Fukushima prefectures in Japan, to help create a hydrogen society.
While Toyota's FCEVs offer environmental benefits in terms of zero emissions and improved fuel efficiency, the wider use of hydrogen fuel cell technology depends on the availability of green hydrogen produced by renewable energy and the development of infrastructure with a network of hydrogen refuelling stations. Toyota recognises the importance of coordinated efforts between car makers, energy providers, governments, and public authorities to support the development of hydrogen power infrastructures. The company's initiatives in the areas of "Create, Transport, Store, and Use" hydrogen are aligned with the EU Green Deal, which prioritises hydrogen for achieving carbon neutrality.
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Refuelling infrastructure for Toyota's fuel cell cars
Toyota has been working on hydrogen fuel cell technology for years, and in 2014, it launched the Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The Mirai uses a fuel cell to generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, producing zero emissions, with water being the only by-product.
However, one of the biggest challenges for hydrogen fuel cell cars is the lack of refuelling infrastructure. Currently, there are only a limited number of hydrogen refuelling stations, and the cost of hydrogen is high, at over $30/kg in the US. This makes it difficult for consumers to adopt hydrogen-powered vehicles, as they may not have easy access to refuelling stations and the cost of fuel is not competitive with fossil fuels.
Toyota has recognised the need for investment in hydrogen infrastructure and has partnered with BMW to develop the next generation of fuel cell systems and expand the refuelling infrastructure. They are promoting regional and local projects to drive the development of hydrogen infrastructure through collaborative initiatives. This includes working with other companies and manufacturers as part of the H2 Mobility Project to understand the infrastructure involved in this developing technology.
In the UK, the wider availability of the Mirai depends on the Government's £11m infrastructure investment program. This investment will be crucial in helping to establish the FCEV market as a viable option for consumers, alongside other powertrain technologies.
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Toyota's commitment to sustainability
Toyota has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through several initiatives and innovations. One of the most notable examples is the development and launch of the Mirai, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that runs on hydrogen and produces zero emissions. Introduced to the world markets in 2014, the Mirai represents Toyota's vision of achieving carbon neutrality and creating a better world.
The Mirai FCEV utilises a fuel cell to generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, resulting in zero emissions aside from water. This technology offers long-distance driving ranges and rapid refuelling, taking less than five minutes to refuel. The latest generation of the Mirai, launched in 2021, features a redesigned fuel cell system that is lighter and more powerful, extending the driving range to around 650 kilometres with no emissions other than water.
The development of the third-generation fuel cell system (3rd Gen FC System) further showcases Toyota's sustainability efforts. This new system, unveiled in 2025, is designed to meet the needs of the commercial sector with improved durability, fuel efficiency, and cost reduction. It can be installed in a range of vehicles and applications, including passenger cars, heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and general-purpose applications such as stationary generators, rail, and ships.
Toyota's sustainability initiatives also extend beyond its products. The company's Guiding Principles, established over 80 years ago, reflect its commitment to a safer, greener, and more inclusive society. Toyota is also dedicated to maximising recycling and recovery from end-of-life vehicles through its Circular Factory initiative. Furthermore, Toyota collaborates with organisations like NASA and contributes to renewable energy projects, such as illuminating the Eiffel Tower with green hydrogen.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel cell car uses a fuel cell to generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, producing zero emissions.
In Toyota's fuel cell cars, hydrogen from the fuel tank and air entering from the intake grille meet in the Fuel Cell Stack. A chemical reaction involving the oxygen in the air and hydrogen creates electricity, powering the car. The only by-product is water.
Yes, Toyota's fuel cell cars are designed to be green. The company has been working towards developing and manufacturing innovative, safe, and high-quality products that create happiness by providing mobility for all. The company's vision is to achieve carbon neutrality with its products, services, and operations.
The latest generation of Toyota's Mirai fuel cell car has a driving range of around 650 km, with no emissions other than water. The car also broke the world record for distance driven with one fill of hydrogen, covering over 1000 km.
