Mercedes Mullins
Toyota's Mirai is a hydrogen-powered car that uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS) to generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, producing zero emissions. The Mirai's hydrogen fuel tanks are made of carbon fibre and have been rigorously tested to meet global safety standards. The car's range is a topic of interest for many, with Toyota promising 402 miles for the Mirai XLE and 357 miles for the Mirai Limited. However, real-world tests have shown that the actual range may vary depending on driving conditions and styles.
The Mirai's sleek and modern design, advanced technology, and quiet ride have received praise from those who have driven it. However, some have criticised the interior space due to the size of the hydrogen fuel tanks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Car model | Mirai |
| Year | 2024 |
| Versions | XLE, Limited |
| Range (XLE) | 402 miles |
| Range (Limited) | 357 miles |
| Fuel type | Hydrogen |
| Fuel tank capacity | 5.6 kg |
| Fuel tank pressure | 700 bar |
| Refuelling time | 3-5 minutes |
| Fuel card | Included with purchase or lease |
| Fuel cost | $23.99-26.75 per kg |
| Fuel efficiency | 70 mpg |
| Top speed | 97 km/h (60 mph) |
| Acceleration (0-60 mph) | 9 seconds |
| Passing time (25-40 mph) | 3 seconds |
| Safety features | Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, Emergency Driving Stop System |
| Environmental impact | Zero emissions, water vapor exhaust |
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What You'll Learn
Refuelling takes 3-5 minutes
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that can be refuelled in just 3-5 minutes. This is comparable to the time it takes to refuel a petrol or diesel car. The Mirai's hydrogen fuel tanks are made of carbon-fibre-reinforced materials and have been rigorously tested to ensure their safety and durability.
The refuelling process for the Mirai is simple and similar to refuelling a petrol or diesel car. The car has a pump and a nozzle, which you use to fill up the hydrogen fuel tanks. The hydrogen is stored in the tanks at high pressure, and the amount of fuel is measured by pressure rather than volume. This means that it is not possible to "top off" the tank in the same way as with liquid fuel.
The Mirai's hydrogen fuel tanks are located beneath the vehicle's body, with the largest tank under the centre console and the next-biggest under the rear seat. The tanks are sleek and aerodynamic, contributing to the Mirai's impressive driving range of up to 402 miles on a full tank.
The Mirai's refuelling time of 3-5 minutes is impressive, but it is important to note that the availability of hydrogen refuelling stations may be limited in some areas. As hydrogen fuel cell technology is still relatively new, there may not be a wide network of refuelling stations available to drivers. However, Toyota and other companies are working to increase the accessibility of hydrogen refuelling options.
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Hydrogen tanks are safe and rigorously tested
Hydrogen-powered cars, such as the Toyota Mirai, are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles. Hydrogen tanks are an essential component of these vehicles, and their safety is of paramount concern. These tanks are rigorously tested to ensure they meet strict safety standards and are proven to be safe for use.
Hydrogen tanks are designed to be robust and durable, with advanced safety features. For instance, the Toyota Mirai's hydrogen fuel tanks have been rigorously tested and proven to meet Global Technical Regulation No. 13. In the event of a leak or collision, the hydrogen tank valves will automatically close, preventing further hydrogen escape. Additionally, any leaked hydrogen will safely return to the atmosphere.
The safety of hydrogen tanks is further validated by their ability to withstand extreme conditions. For example, during testing, tanks are subjected to more than twice the maximum pressure they would experience under normal service conditions. They are also exposed to various road hazards, such as being dropped, shot at, burned, or exposed to acids and salts, to ensure their strength and durability. These tests demonstrate the tanks' ability to safely contain hydrogen under normal and extreme conditions.
The overall safety record of high-pressure composite tanks has been excellent, with millions of these tanks in use worldwide in various commercial and industrial applications. The tanks are designed not to rupture and are constructed using durable composite materials that are resistant to impacts and environmental factors. Furthermore, hydrogen filling stations have numerous redundant overpressure protection systems in place to prevent the over-pressurization of a vehicle's fuel system.
The proper handling, installation, and maintenance of hydrogen tanks are also essential to ensuring their safety. Vehicle manufacturers work closely with tank manufacturers to develop robust test procedures, adhering to regulations, codes, and standards, to guarantee the safety of the tanks and the entire vehicle.
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Hydrogen fuel is expensive
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). It uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which combines fuel cell and hybrid technology. The Mirai's hydrogen fuel tanks are made of carbon fibre and have been rigorously tested to ensure their strength and safety.
The Mirai has an impressive range of up to 402 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, according to Toyota. However, in reality, the range can be significantly lower, with one reviewer averaging 331 miles per tank.
One of the biggest challenges facing the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is the high cost of hydrogen fuel. In California, hydrogen fuel generally costs around $25 per kilogram, which equates to about $135 to fill up a standard car. At this price point, hydrogen fuel is not price-competitive with other fuel options, such as gasoline. For example, in 2021, hydrogen fuel retailed for $8.50 to $10.80 per kilogram more than gasoline prices, making it two to three times more expensive per mile than conventional gasoline vehicles.
The high cost of hydrogen fuel is a significant barrier to the adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Even if the vehicles themselves were given away for free, as Rick Breunesse, business development director at Symbio North America, pointed out, people will not use them if the fuel is not competitively priced. To address this issue, hydrogen production will need to increase, and an infrastructure network will be necessary to store and distribute the fuel.
While hydrogen advocates argue that the high fuel economy of FCVs helps to offset the high fuel cost, with future prices expected to be lower due to increased volume and economies of scale, the current high cost of hydrogen fuel remains a significant obstacle to its widespread adoption.
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Hydrogen stations are not always reliable
Hydrogen-powered cars, such as the Toyota Mirai, are an innovative and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. The Mirai, for example, uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which combines fuel cell and hybrid technology to deliver a more energy-efficient and emissions-free driving experience.
However, the reliability of hydrogen stations, especially in the early stages of commercial roll-out, has been a cause for concern. The issue of reliability is critical because it directly impacts consumer acceptability of hydrogen-powered vehicles. For instance, in a year-long test of the Toyota Mirai, reviewers noted that hydrogen fuel stations did not always deliver a full tank, which negatively affected the vehicle's range.
The reliability of hydrogen stations is influenced by several factors, including operation, safety, and maintenance. A study analyzing over 5,000 maintenance events at hydrogen stations identified dispenser subsystems as particularly failure-prone. Additionally, the exponential increase in hydrogen demand, especially in California, has put a strain on the existing network of stations, highlighting the need for more stations to meet demand and ensure reliable refueling for FCEV drivers.
To address these challenges, ongoing research is focused on investigating the root causes of failures and developing data-driven reliability improvement plans. This includes exploring alternative hydrogen supply methods, such as liquid or pipeline delivery, to improve the utility and viability of hydrogen stations in the marketplace. The California Fuel Cell Partnership has also set ambitious goals, envisioning 1,000 hydrogen stations supporting 1,000,000 FCEVs in California by 2030.
While hydrogen stations are not yet universally reliable, efforts are being made to improve their reliability and increase their availability to meet the growing demand for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
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Hydrogen vehicles are zero-emissions
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are electric cars that use a fuel cell to generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, producing zero emissions. The Toyota Mirai is one such vehicle, and it is leading the way in hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) technology.
The Mirai uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which combines fuel cell and hybrid technology. The Mirai's hydrogen fuel tanks are made of carbon fibre, and they have been rigorously tested to ensure their strength and durability. Hydrogen from the fuel tank and oxygen from the air meet in the Fuel Cell Stack, where a chemical reaction creates electricity to power the car. The only by-product of this reaction is water, which can be released from the Mirai via a button labelled H2O.
The Mirai has an impressive range of up to 402 miles when fully fuelled with hydrogen, although some users have reported lower figures in practice. Refuelling the Mirai is a quick process, taking between 3 and 5 minutes. The Mirai's sleek and modern design, advanced technology, and quiet ride have been praised by drivers.
Hydrogen combustion engines, such as those in the Mirai, can provide a zero-emissions option for certain use cases and support the growth of hydrogen infrastructure. Hydrogen vehicles are one of four true zero-emissions technologies, alongside battery electric vehicles (BEVs), biofuel or synfuel internal combustion engines, and hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2-ICEs). However, hydrogen vehicles face challenges, such as the inefficiency of the energy vector transition process and the high cost of fuel cells.
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Frequently asked questions
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen-powered car that uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS). The distance that can be covered on a full tank of fuel depends on the model and testing conditions. The 2016 model year Mirai has a range of 502 km (312 miles) on a full tank, while the 2024 Mirai XLE has an estimated range of up to 402 miles. The second-generation Mirai set a world record of traveling 1,360 km (845 miles) with a full tank of hydrogen.
The refueling time for the Toyota Mirai is between 3 and 5 minutes at a 700-bar refueling station.
The fuel economy of the Toyota Mirai varies depending on driving conditions and styles. Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle, the 2016 model year Mirai has a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 66 mpg-US (3.6 L/100 km; 79 mpg-imp) equivalent. The hydrogen consumption rate is 0.8 kg/100 km (2.8 lb/100 miles) on the combined urban/extra-urban cycle. Individual users have reported varying tank averages, with some achieving up to 70 mpg in mixed city/freeway driving.
