Toyota is one in all only a few international producers presently invested in a number of gasoline and power sources for its vehicles. Gasoline and electrification are two of its largest initiatives, but it surely has additionally proven a strong dedication to developing hydrogen. The Toyota Mirai is one in all few hydrogen fuel-cell autos bought within the U.S., all of that are bought to the Californian market, as that is the one space with a complete hydrogen fueling community.

The Mirai is likely one of the most area of interest vehicles you may think about in case you’re within the market for a zero emissions option. The four-door liftback sedan has many professionals and cons hooked up to it, however the large query is whether or not it’s a cost-effective possibility. Hydrogen is a reasonably pricey gasoline possibility, due to its intricate manufacturing and demanding storage, however it might translate to noteworthy financial savings in the long term.

In order to provide the latest and correct info potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Toyota and different authoritative sources, together with Car and Driver, Edmunds, and The Department of Energy.

The 2024 Toyota Mirai Starts At $50,190

The 2024 Toyota Mirai begins at $50,190. The base trim is a highly specified XLE, so it’s filled with consolation, comfort, leisure, and security options. At this worth, it does make the hydrogen possibility a really inaccessible product, as there are numerous similar-sized EVs boasting decrease beginning costs.

As already acknowledged, the Mirai is a really area of interest automobile possibility and does not generate much success for Toyota within the North American market. In 2023, Toyota sold an impressive 2,248,477 units. 2,737 of those had been Mirais. It’s value noting that this was an all-time finest for the moniker, even outperforming the Supra by 85 examples.

The Toyota Mirai Costs $200 To Refill

True Zero is presently the lead hydrogen provider in California, and currently charges $36 for a kilogram. The Mirai accommodates 5.6 kg of hydrogen in its 142.2-liter tank, that means you will need to spend $201.60 to refuel. This is an obscene quantity that each fossil fuels and electrical energy drastically outprice.

The Toyota Mirai Covers 402 Miles On A Full Tank

You would suppose that you just’d be able to travel a fair distance on this tank, however Toyota claims the Mirai will solely cowl 402 miles in XLE guise, and 357 miles in Limited specification with the larger wheel choices. The EPA has not examined the Mirai, however Toyota claims the XLE returns 76/71/74 MPGe on the town/freeway/mixed cycle. The Limited returns a 67/64/65 MPG declare.

Toyota Mirai Energy Consumption

Unfortunately, the Mirai proved to barely crest 300 miles in testing, additional hurting its worth issue. At the time of this check, hydrogen was solely $17 per kg, reflecting a drastic improve in worth over the past yr. Based on this examined vary, you may anticipate Toyota’s complementary hydrogen to cowl you for a complete of twenty-two,500 miles, which ought to be sufficient for the typical Californian.

The Toyota Mirai Doesn’t Produce Tailpipe Emissions

The advantage of hydrogen is that there are no tailpipe emissions, whatsoever, so in case you are an eco-conscious client, that is going to be one of many extra fulfilling vehicles you may think about. As a end result, you get entry to the HOV carpool sticker. The Mirai additionally wants simply 5 minutes to refuel, which is considerably sooner than a traditional EV.

Toyota Mirai’s Hydrogen Emissions

• Toyota’s hydrogen gasoline cell autos emit solely water vapor as a byproduct, making them zero-emission autos.
• The water vapor produced from Toyota’s hydrogen autos is clear and doesn’t contribute to air air pollution.
• Hydrogen gasoline cell autos provide an answer to lowering greenhouse fuel emissions, as they don’t emit CO2 throughout operation.
• Toyota’s dedication to hydrogen expertise aligns with its imaginative and prescient for sustainable mobility and lowering environmental influence.
• The absence of conventional tailpipe emissions in Toyota’s hydrogen autos contributes to improved air high quality and public well being.
• Toyota continues to put money into hydrogen gasoline cell expertise to increase its lineup of zero-emission autos and promote widespread adoption.

The Mirai converts hydrogen into electrical energy by mixing it with air sourced from the consumption system. This chemical response ends in electrical energy, a few of which is stored in the car’s 1.2 kWh battery pack. The solely byproduct of this chemical response is water. Hydrogen is a extremely flamable aspect, so Toyota has gone out of its means to make sure the tank is as secure as may be. It is roofed with leak-detecting sensors, which routinely set off the valves to shut if any hazard turns into current.

The Toyota Mirai Has A 0.29 Drag Coefficient

The Mirai is an interesting bundle, however its drastic refueling prices and substandard efficiency do not paint a optimistic and cost-effective image. The single permanent-magnet motor generates a mere 182 horsepower, resulting in a tested 9.1-second 0-60 MPH time and 106 MPH high velocity. Tests additionally point out a meager 17-second quarter-mile time.

Toyota Mirai Exterior Dimensions

(Specifications sourced from Toyota

Toyota handed design tasks to its Lexus division, which is why it bears so many similarities to the current-generation Lexus ES. The Mirai is criticized for a lot of issues, however its exterior aesthetics is one space the place individuals agree it excels. The modern design additionally advantages from 0.29 drag coefficient score, aiding its general effectivity.

The Cost Of Hydrogen In The U.S.

• Hydrogen manufacturing prices within the U.S. differ extensively relying on the tactic, with electrolysis being one of the costly.
• Renewable power sources like photo voltaic and wind are driving down the price of inexperienced hydrogen manufacturing.
• Infrastructure prices for hydrogen refueling stations stay excessive however are reducing as adoption grows.
• Incentives and subsidies play a big function in offsetting hydrogen manufacturing and infrastructure prices.
• Scaling up manufacturing and implementing cost-efficient distribution methods are essential for lowering hydrogen prices.
• Research and growth efforts purpose to innovate applied sciences and processes to additional lower the price of hydrogen within the USA.

These costs could seem a bit excessive, however you will be elated to be taught that Toyota covers the price of gasoline for the primary six years of possession. If you lease the automobile, you solely get three years value of gasoline. In each instances, refueling is restricted to a complete of $15,000.

The U.S. Has Just Over 50 Hydrogen Fueling Stations

There are currently 59 hydrogen stations you may entry within the U.S., all of that are situated in California, however solely in the most well-liked areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles. You will discover two stations in Sacramento and one simply exterior Truckee. But, what comes as a giant blow is Shell shutting down seven hydrogen stations just lately. The already low variety of hydrogen stations additional took successful that not simply impacts the house owners, but additionally automakers that are deeply invested in hydrogen tech.

Hydrogen Stations In The U.S.

• The variety of hydrogen refueling stations within the USA is rising steadily, primarily in California but additionally increasing to different states.
• California leads the nation in hydrogen station deployment, with plans to construct a complete community to assist gasoline cell car adoption.
• Public and personal partnerships play an important function in funding and creating hydrogen refueling infrastructure throughout the nation.
• Hydrogen station areas are strategically chosen to assist key transportation corridors and concrete facilities.
• The availability of hydrogen stations influences client confidence and adoption of gasoline cell autos.
• Continued funding in hydrogen infrastructure is important to assist the expansion of the hydrogen economic system and decarbonize transportation within the USA.

The Department of Energy confirms that suppliers are busy working on 50 additional hydrogen stations for FCEV house owners. Five of those shall be situated in northeastern states, additional enhancing the viability of hydrogen vehicles for American street customers. The DoE is presently running an H2USA campaign, which entails federal businesses, automakers, hydrogen suppliers, gasoline cell builders, nationwide laboratories, and extra stakeholders to advance hydrogen provide throughout the nation. While admirable, it is clear that the uptake is just not as pressing as electrical automobile charging stations, of which there are already properly over 160,000.