Ameer Randolph
The Toyota Mirai is the only commercially available hydrogen fuel cell car on the market. It combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate power without creating tailpipe emissions. While hydrogen fuel is a promising power source for vehicles, the industry is still developing, and the cost of the fuel is high. The price of hydrogen fuel has increased to $36 per kilogram, with the Mirai's tank holding 5.6 kilograms, meaning that filling it from empty costs over $200. Toyota provides Mirai buyers with a fuel card worth $15,000, which is good for six years, but this may not be enough to get 30,000 miles of driving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Hydrogen |
| Fuel cost | $36 per kilogram |
| Tank capacity | 5.6 kilograms |
| Cost to fill the tank | $200 |
| Range | 66 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) |
| Complimentary fuel for purchases | $15,000 or 6 years, whichever comes first |
| Complimentary fuel for leases | $15,000 or 3 years, whichever comes first |
| Fuel card validity | 3 years |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel costs
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate power without creating tailpipe emissions. It is the only commercially available hydrogen fuel cell car on the market. However, there are only around 60 hydrogen refueling stations in the US, most of which are located in Southern California.
The cost of hydrogen fuel is subject to fluctuation. While it was previously priced at $16 per kilogram, the price increased to $36 per kilogram in 2024. The Mirai's tank holds approximately 5-5.6 kilograms, meaning that filling it from empty costs around $200.
To address the high fuel costs, Toyota provides Mirai buyers with a fuel card worth $15,000 in hydrogen purchases, valid for six years from the purchase date. This incentive significantly offsets the fueling expenses, making the Mirai a more economically viable option.
It is important to note that the availability of hydrogen refueling stations and their uptime should be considered when owning a Mirai. Proper planning and calculations are necessary to ensure you don't run out of fuel in locations without fueling stations.
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Fuel card considerations
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate power without creating tailpipe emissions. It is currently the only commercially available hydrogen fuel cell car on the market, with around 60 hydrogen refueling stations in the U.S., mostly in Southern California.
When you purchase a Mirai, Toyota provides a fuel card with $15,000 worth of hydrogen fuel, which is valid for six years from the purchase date. This incentive helps offset the cost of hydrogen fuel, which currently stands at $36 per kilogram, making the Mirai expensive to drive.
The fuel card included with the purchase of a Mirai is a significant benefit, but there are several factors to consider regarding its usage and limitations:
Fuel Card Validity and Duration
The fuel card provided by Toyota for the Mirai comes with a substantial $15,000 credit for hydrogen fuel purchases. This credit is intended to last for six years from the date of purchase, giving owners a long-term financial buffer for fueling their vehicles.
Hydrogen Fuel Costs
The cost of hydrogen fuel is a critical consideration. While prices fluctuate, it is generally more expensive than traditional gasoline. At $36 per kilogram, the $15,000 credit may not last for the full six years, depending on usage. The duration of the fuel card's usefulness will depend on factors such as driving habits, distance travelled, and the frequency of refuelling.
Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure
The availability of hydrogen refueling stations varies across different regions. Currently, most stations are concentrated in Southern California, so owners outside this region may face challenges in finding convenient and accessible refueling options. It is essential to research the availability and uptime of stations in your area to ensure you don't encounter issues with refuelling.
Environmental Impact
The Mirai's hydrogen fuel cell technology offers a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels, as its only byproduct is water. This makes it a cleaner energy option that helps reduce carbon emissions and contributes to a more sustainable future.
Fuel Efficiency and Range
The Mirai's fuel efficiency and range impact the frequency of refuelling and the overall cost of ownership. While the vehicle's fuel efficiency is rated at 66 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), the range per fill-up can vary. Some users report getting approximately 220 miles per fill, while others suggest that the range may not meet their expectations.
In conclusion, while the fuel card included with the Mirai provides a substantial credit for hydrogen fuel purchases, it is important to consider the variability of hydrogen fuel costs, the availability of refueling stations, the vehicle's fuel efficiency, and the overall environmental benefits of this alternative fuel technology.
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Hydrogen fuel cell technology
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate power without creating tailpipe emissions. Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. However, there are challenges to its widespread adoption, including the high cost of hydrogen fuel and a limited number of refuelling stations.
While Toyota provides Mirai buyers with a fuel card worth $15,000, which can be used for six years from the date of purchase, this amount may not be sufficient for some drivers, depending on their usage and commute. The fluctuating cost of hydrogen fuel, which was previously as low as $15 per kilogram, adds uncertainty to the long-term affordability of the Mirai and other hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Another significant challenge is the limited infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling. In the United States, there are only around 60 hydrogen refuelling stations, mostly located in Southern California. This lack of accessibility can deter potential buyers and hinder the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Despite these challenges, hydrogen fuel cell technology holds promise for the future of transportation. As the industry develops more efficient methods for transporting and storing hydrogen gas, and as more refuelling stations become available, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the Mirai may become a more viable option for environmentally conscious consumers.
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Hydrogen fueling station availability
The availability of hydrogen fuelling stations is a key consideration for anyone thinking of buying a hydrogen-powered car. There are currently only around 60 hydrogen refuelling stations in the US, with most of these located in Southern California, from Los Angeles to San Diego. This limited availability is a factor in the resale value of the Toyota Mirai, which can be found on the secondhand market at remarkably affordable prices.
However, the situation is improving, with a growing network of hydrogen refuelling stations across the US and Canada. Driving Hydrogen provides an interactive map showing real-time data on the locations of hydrogen stations, including station availability, operating hours, and the types of hydrogen offered. This includes 350 bar and 700 bar stations, with the higher-pressure 700 bar stations allowing for smaller, lighter tanks and a greater amount of hydrogen to be stored in the same volume, enabling longer driving ranges.
The California Energy Commission also provides information on hydrogen refuelling stations in California, including real-time station status.
Given the limited availability of hydrogen fuelling stations, it is recommended that drivers of hydrogen-powered cars check the uptime of stations and do their calculations to ensure they do not run out of fuel where refuelling is not available.
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Hydrogen fuel sustainability
The Toyota Mirai is currently the only commercially available hydrogen fuel cell car on the market. Hydrogen fuel is generally considered more sustainable than traditional fossil fuels, and hydrogen-powered cars like the Mirai produce no tailpipe emissions, with water vapour being the only by-product. However, there are some sustainability concerns surrounding the production and transportation of hydrogen, as well as the current lack of refuelling infrastructure.
Hydrogen is typically produced using fossil fuels, which results in a lot of climate pollution. However, hydrogen can also be made using renewable energy to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, known as "green" hydrogen. This method of obtaining hydrogen would save the 830 million tonnes of CO2 that are emitted annually when this gas is produced using fossil fuels. Green hydrogen is 100% sustainable and does not emit polluting gases during combustion or production. It is also easily storable, allowing it to be used subsequently for other purposes.
While hydrogen has the potential to be a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, there are some challenges to its implementation. Firstly, the production of green hydrogen currently requires a lot of energy, and it may not always make sense to divert clean electricity from the grid to produce it. Additionally, hydrogen is difficult to store due to its low energy content by volume, requiring high pressures, low temperatures, or chemical processes for compact storage. This is especially challenging for light-duty vehicles, which have limited size and weight capacity for fuel storage.
Another concern is the risk of hydrogen leaks during transportation, which could reduce the climate benefits of using hydrogen. Preventing hydrogen from leaking into the atmosphere is crucial, as even minimal leaks can impact the climate benefits of using hydrogen over fossil fuels. Furthermore, the cost of hydrogen fuel is currently high, with prices ranging from $15 to $36 per kilogram, and there are only around 60 hydrogen refuelling stations in the U.S., most of which are located in Southern California.
Overall, while hydrogen fuel has the potential to be a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, there are still some challenges and concerns surrounding its production, storage, and transportation that need to be addressed. However, with advancements in technology and infrastructure, hydrogen fuel may become a more viable and sustainable option in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of filling up a Mirai depends on the price of hydrogen fuel, which is currently $36 per kilogram. The Mirai's tank holds 5.6 kilograms, so filling it from empty costs over $200.
On a full tank, a Mirai gets about 66 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) of hydrogen gas, which is approximately 400 miles.
It is uncertain what the future price of hydrogen will be, but it is hoped that it will eventually fall to $5-10 per kilogram. The cost of hydrogen fuel is dependent on the development of efficient methods of transporting and storing hydrogen gas.
