Katerina Swanson
Toyota has been at the forefront of a revolution in vehicle technology since 1997, when it launched hybrid cars. The company's first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle, the Mirai, is a vital step in solving the energy demands and emissions issues posed by traditional petrol and diesel-fuelled vehicles. The Mirai is a hydrogen-powered car that generates electricity by forcing hydrogen to react with oxygen, creating water as a byproduct. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) emit only water, fill up in minutes, and have a range comparable to gas-powered cars.
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen atoms' electrons generate electricity
Hydrogen atoms contain a single proton and a single electron. To generate electricity, the fuel cell strips away the electrons, separating them from the protons. These electrons are then used to create electricity. This process is facilitated by the anode and cathode sides of the fuel cell.
Firstly, hydrogen is supplied to the anode (negative) side of the fuel cell. Hydrogen molecules are activated by the anode catalyst, which releases electrons. The electrons then travel from the anode to the cathode (positive) side of the fuel cell, creating an electric current.
The hydrogen molecules that released the electrons become hydrogen ions and move through the polymer electrolyte membrane to the cathode side. Here, they bond with ambient oxygen and electrons on the cathode catalyst to form water. This chemical reaction involving oxygen and hydrogen creates electricity to power the car.
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel-cell car that uses this process to generate electricity. Hydrogen is stored inside a tank, where it interacts with oxygen to produce power. The electricity generated powers the rear wheels, which are propelled by a motor that generates 182 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.
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Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to create water
Hydrogen fuel cell cars, such as Toyota's Mirai, use hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and power the vehicle. Hydrogen is supplied to the anode (negative) side of the fuel cell, where hydrogen molecules are activated by the anode catalyst, releasing electrons. These electrons then travel to the cathode (positive) side of the fuel cell, creating an electric current. The hydrogen molecules that released the electrons become hydrogen ions and move through the polymer electrolyte membrane to the cathode side. Here, the hydrogen ions bond with oxygen and electrons on the cathode catalyst to form water. This process, therefore, results in hydrogen reacting with oxygen to create water.
The Mirai stores hydrogen molecules inside a tank, where it interacts with oxygen to produce power. The hydrogen is pumped into carbon fibre-reinforced tanks, which are lined with polymers and covered in carbon fibre. This design allows the tanks to absorb five times more crash energy than steel. Additionally, hydrogen detectors are in place to spot leaks or collisions, and the valves will close to prevent further hydrogen escape. Any hydrogen that has already leaked will safely return to the atmosphere as a low-pressure, non-combustible gas.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are advantageous as they produce zero emissions, emitting only water. They also have a fast refuelling time of around three to five minutes and a range comparable to gas-powered cars, at about 300-400 miles. This long range is due to the compactness of hydrogen, which easily fits into storage cells and remains in a usable gas form at relatively low pressure.
Toyota has been at the forefront of a revolution in vehicle technology, with the Mirai being its first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle. This technology is supported by governments and industries in several countries, including the UK, Germany, and Denmark, as it helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
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Hydrogen is stored in carbon fibre-reinforced tanks
The Mirai has two tanks that store 11 pounds of hydrogen fuel under very high pressure (10,000 psi). The hydrogen is pumped into the tanks through a nozzle, similar to a gas station pump. The tanks are designed to be stable and provide long-term fuel storage. The use of carbon fibre in the outer shell of the tanks helps to increase their capacity and reduce weight.
Toyota has invested significant time and effort into testing hydrogen-powered vehicles in challenging conditions to ensure their reliability. The Mirai has undergone rigorous testing to ensure compliance with Global Technical Regulation No. 13, a United Nations document that outlines safety requirements for fuel-cell and other hydrogen-based vehicles.
The hydrogen fuel cell technology in the Mirai offers several advantages over traditional electric vehicles. The refuelling process is much faster, taking only a few minutes to fill up the tank, and the range is comparable to gas-powered cars, approximately 300-400 miles. The Mirai's fuel-cell electric powertrain generates electricity from hydrogen, and as hydrogen is the smallest element, it easily compacts into the storage cells, remaining in a usable gas form at relatively low pressure.
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Fuel cells can use hydrocarbons like gas and alcohol
Hydrogen is the most common fuel used in fuel cells today. However, fuel cells can use almost any hydrocarbon, including gas and alcohol. The fuel cell in the Toyota Mirai, for example, uses hydrogen. Other examples of hydrocarbons that can be used as fuel include diesel, methanol, methane (natural gas), propane, and butane.
The use of hydrocarbons in fuel cells results in waste products such as carbon dioxide and water. In contrast, when hydrogen is used as fuel, the only waste product is water, which makes it a more environmentally friendly option. Hydrogen fuel cells emit no carbon dioxide or air pollutants, helping to address critical climate challenges.
Hydrocarbon fuels must be converted into hydrogen in a fuel reformer to be compatible with fuel cells like the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), which uses a polymer electrolyte membrane. The direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is an exception, as it uses methanol directly on the anode, eliminating the need for a fuel reformer. Methanol is attractive as a fuel for portable devices because it provides a higher energy density than hydrogen.
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are capable of internally reforming light hydrocarbons such as methane, propane, and butane. However, SOFCs are still in the early stages of development and face challenges due to their high operating temperatures, which can lead to carbon dust buildup on the anode. This "carbon coking" issue can be mitigated by using copper-based cermet, a heat-resistant material made of ceramic and metal.
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Hydrogen fuel cells reduce reliance on fossil fuels
The use of hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles offers an alternative to traditional petrol and diesel-fuelled cars, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Hydrogen fuel cells have the potential to power vehicles with zero emissions, addressing the energy demands and emissions issues associated with conventional fuel sources. This technology is supported by governments and industries in several countries, including the UK, Germany, and Denmark, as a step towards a future after fossil fuels.
Toyota's Mirai is a significant example of hydrogen fuel cell technology. The Mirai features a fuel-cell electric powertrain, generating electricity from hydrogen stored in its tanks. The hydrogen molecules interact with oxygen to produce power, resulting in a remarkable driving range of up to 402 miles for the 2024 Mirai XLE model. The Mirai's fuel-cell technology also enables faster refuelling compared to traditional electric vehicles, taking only a few minutes to fill up.
The development and introduction of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, such as the Mirai, represent a crucial step towards reducing reliance on fossil fuels. By utilizing hydrogen as an alternative fuel source, these vehicles offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option for transportation. Hydrogen fuel cells have the potential to power vehicles with zero emissions, contributing to a future where fossil fuels may no longer be the primary energy source for automobiles.
However, the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology also faces challenges, particularly regarding infrastructure. The production, distribution, and pricing of hydrogen fuel are aspects that need to be addressed to support the widespread use of these vehicles. Nevertheless, with the support of governments and industry leaders, the necessary infrastructure can be developed to facilitate the transition to hydrogen fuel cell technology and further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
The Toyota Mirai is the company's first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle. It is a hydrogen-powered car that generates electricity from a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.
The Mirai's fuel cell strips away electrons from hydrogen atoms to generate electricity. The remaining ionized hydrogen atoms then react with oxygen from the air to create water and heat, with steam being the only byproduct.
The Mirai is a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. It emits only water, fills up in 3-5 minutes, and has a range of about 300-400 miles, comparable to gas-powered cars.
The infrastructure for fuel cell vehicles is still developing, with a limited number of hydrogen filling stations available. Additionally, issues such as the production and transportation of hydrogen need to be addressed.
