Rajan Wilcox
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which means it emits no tailpipe emissions and its only by-product is water vapour. While this makes it an appealing option for eco-conscious consumers, the cost of fuelling a Mirai is a significant consideration. Hydrogen is an expensive fuel option due to its complex production and demanding storage requirements. The price of hydrogen fuel has been increasing, with some sources citing a price of $36 per kilogram, resulting in a full tank costing over $200. Toyota offers Mirai buyers a fuel card with $15,000 worth of complimentary hydrogen, but even with this subsidy, the cost of fuelling a Mirai is a key factor in determining its overall value proposition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Hydrogen |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 5.6 kg or 5 kg |
| Hydrogen Cost per kg | $17, $36 |
| Cost to Fill Tank | $180, $200, $201.60 |
| Fuel Card | $15,000 worth of hydrogen purchases |
| Fuel Card Validity | 3 years, 6 years |
| Range | 220 miles, 312 miles, 357 miles, 402 miles |
| Fueling Stations | 60 in the U.S. |
| Fueling Stations Location | California |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel costs $36 per kilogram
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which means it runs on hydrogen and emits only water vapour. Hydrogen fuel costs $36 per kilogram, and the Mirai's tank can hold 5.6 kilograms, bringing the cost of filling up the tank to over $200.
Toyota offers Mirai buyers a fuel card with $15,000 worth of hydrogen purchases, which is valid for six years. However, at the current cost of hydrogen, this will not cover 30,000 miles of driving. The fuel card provides an incentive to purchase the Mirai, but the high cost of hydrogen refuelling may be a significant drawback for potential buyers.
The Mirai's high fuel costs are due in part to the intricate production and demanding storage requirements of hydrogen. Additionally, there are only around 60 hydrogen refuelling stations in the US, most of which are located in Southern California. This limited infrastructure further contributes to the high cost of refuelling.
Despite the high fuel costs, the Mirai may offer some long-term savings. The Mirai's fuel tank can be filled in just five minutes, and the vehicle offers zero emissions, improved air quality, and no tailpipe emissions. These factors may appeal to eco-conscious consumers. However, the Mirai's fuel range is not excellent, and it may not be a cost-effective option for those with long commutes or frequent travel.
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The Mirai's tank holds 5.6kg, costing $201 to fill
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, with the hydrogen stored in carbon-fiber-reinforced fuel tanks. The Mirai's tank holds 5.6kg of hydrogen, which costs around $200 to fill. This is based on a price of $36 per kilogram, though the cost of hydrogen fuel fluctuates over time.
While the Mirai is an eco-conscious choice, with no tailpipe emissions, the cost of refuelling is high. The car has a range of around 300-400 miles per tank, depending on the model. This means that the cost of refuelling works out to around 50-60 cents per mile.
Toyota offers an incentive to buyers of the Mirai, providing a fuel card with $15,000 worth of hydrogen purchases. This is valid for six years from the purchase date. However, even with this subsidy, the cost of refuelling the Mirai is still significant.
The limited availability of hydrogen refuelling stations is another factor to consider. There are only around 60 stations in the US, mostly located in Southern California. This lack of infrastructure can impact the convenience and practicality of owning a Mirai.
Overall, while the Mirai offers a zero-emissions option, the high refuelling costs and limited refuelling infrastructure are important considerations for potential buyers.
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Toyota offers $15,000 of free hydrogen for 6 years
The Toyota Mirai is currently the only hydrogen fuel cell vehicle on the market. The price of hydrogen fuel has skyrocketed in the past year, with prices reaching $36 per kilogram in California. This means that filling up the Mirai's 5.6-kilogram tank costs over $200.
To offset this high fueling cost, Toyota offers Mirai buyers a fuel card with $15,000 worth of free hydrogen fuel. This incentive is valid for six years from the date of purchase. However, even with this credit, some drivers may not get 30,000 miles of driving, depending on their fuel efficiency and commute.
Toyota has offered various discounts on the Mirai in the past, including a $40,000 rebate on the 2023 Limited model, putting it in the same price bracket as the Toyota Corolla compact car. In addition to the $15,000 fuel card, Toyota has also offered lease incentives of up to $7,500.
The high cost of hydrogen fuel and the limited fueling infrastructure have likely contributed to sluggish sales of the Mirai. In 2024, Toyota delivered 499 fuel-cell sedans in the US, down from 2,737 in 2023. Despite this, Toyota remains committed to its Beyond Zero vision, aiming to reduce carbon emissions through initiatives like the Mirai Fuel Cell EV.
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Hydrogen is costly due to intricate production and storage
Hydrogen fuel is expensive due to the complex production and storage requirements. Green hydrogen, for example, requires a lot of energy to produce—more than 50 kWh and nine litres of water per kilogram of hydrogen. The cost of green electricity, the key input, accounts for 85% of the total production cost. While some suggest that green hydrogen could use "free" surplus energy from wind or solar farms, the reality is that wind and solar energy are already fully allocated, and the surplus is very limited.
The cost of transporting hydrogen also contributes to its overall expense. Hydrogen has traditionally been transported through pipelines, and while this method has low operational costs, it has high capital costs, primarily for compressor power. Liquid hydrogen, on the other hand, has a high operational cost due to the electricity required for liquefaction, which can account for 30-60% of overall liquefaction costs. The distance travelled is a significant factor in transportation costs, and the cost of transporting hydrogen is typically between 1 and 4 cents per kilowatt-hour (0.3-1.3 cents per kilogram).
The intricate production and storage requirements of hydrogen fuel are reflected in the cost of fuelling a Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. While the price of hydrogen fuel varies, it increased to $36 per kilogram in 2024. With a tank capacity of 5.6 kilograms, filling a Mirai from empty can cost over $200. To offset this cost, Toyota provides Mirai buyers with a fuel card worth $15,000 in hydrogen purchases, valid for six years. However, even with this subsidy, the high cost of hydrogen fuel remains a significant consideration for potential Mirai owners.
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Hydrogen prices have increased drastically over the last year
There are several factors contributing to the rise in hydrogen prices. Firstly, the cost of natural gas, a crucial input for hydrogen production, has been rising. This is due to heightened heating demand and limited supply, as well as geopolitical factors such as restricted Russian gas exports. In addition, the increasing cost of renewable energy, especially solar and wind power, has also impacted the cost of green hydrogen production.
The rise in hydrogen prices has had a notable impact on the hydrogen market, with record-high retail prices affecting the market negatively. However, it is important to note that the hydrogen market is complex and influenced by various factors, including localized market conditions, supply chain intricacies, and geopolitical factors. For example, India's hydrogen market has remained steady due to strong uniform consumption and domestic production, while the market in Asia Pacific showed a complicated pricing structure due to the variety of hydrogen types.
Despite the increase in hydrogen prices, there is still a push for the development and adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source. The International Energy Agency has noted that clean hydrogen is enjoying unprecedented political and business momentum, with an increasing number of policies and projects around the world. However, in order for hydrogen to become widely used, it is important to scale up technologies and bring down costs.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost to fill up a Toyota Mirai varies depending on the price of hydrogen fuel. In 2023, the price of hydrogen fuel was $26.75 per kilogram, and in 2024 it increased to $36 per kilogram. The Mirai's tank holds 5.6 kilograms, so filling it from empty costs around $200.
The Toyota Mirai can travel around 300-400 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, depending on the model and specifications.
Yes, Toyota offers Mirai buyers a fuel card with $15,000 worth of hydrogen purchases, which is valid for six years or 3 years for leases. This incentive helps offset the high cost of hydrogen fuel.
