Thanks to a recent discovery of Toyota patent submissions, we have discovered concerning the model’s plan to create a “Hydrogen Sharing Network” for its clients driving hydrogen-powered EVs. Toyota Mirai drivers have raised points with this shortage due to the at present limited number of hydrogen refueling stations throughout the United States.

Unlike common electrical automotive charging stations, hydrogen energy is comparatively unknown and unused by automotive producers and drivers, apart from Toyota and its Mirai collection. Therefore, this latest patent submitting signifies a better want for at-home refueling choices for people with hydrogen-based automobiles, which may spark better market curiosity within the concept transferring into subsequent yr, decade, and so forth.

For these unfamiliar with the Toyota Mirai, that is the model’s first hydrogen-based EV mannequin and one of many first to be offered. The Mirai incorporates a high-power gas cell backed with a battery storing power. The tank’s capability is 5.0 kilograms (11 kilos), and the automobile travels as much as 402 miles per hydrogen fill-up. Therefore, Toyota hopes to ease its drivers’ minds between these refills with an at-home “Hydrogen Sharing Network.” This will develop far past Mirai and can seemingly be shifted towards further releases from the company.

To provide the most recent and correct info attainable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from authoritative sources just like the USPTO, Toyota, and the Department of Energy, and official patent submitting paperwork.

Toyota Mirai Drivers May Soon Be Able To Refill Hydrogen At Home

• Via a latest patent submitting, Toyota has plans to permit its hydrogen automobile house owners to refuel at residence versus at a station.
• This could be the primary at-home hydrogen station for drivers of its form.

A little bit of thrilling information popping out of Toyota’s HQ lately has been the company filing for a patent for a new “Hydrogen Sharing Network,” which might permit for at-home hydrogen refueling by its drivers. What this implies for Mirai house owners is that by way of your smartphone, you might authenticate a hydrogen refill via an app and a house system powered by photo voltaic power.

Per the patent, Toyota house owners would additionally be capable of join their at-home hydrogen stations to both a water or pure fuel supply. This would permit for straightforward, no-hassle hydrogen refuels on a per-person foundation, fairly than having to search for the place the closest licensed station is relative to your private home/work/location. For many causes, this is able to be a fantastic incentive for somebody to maneuver toward a hydrogen vehicle over a traditional battery-powered model.

Your Shared Hydrogen Network Will Use A Natural Water Or Gas Source

Once your Toyota hydrogen station makes it to your private home, the plan could be to connect with a pure water or fuel supply, permitting it to create hydrogen fuel. As we mentioned, there would even be a photo voltaic element, which might help in creating and refueling a mannequin like Mirai.

Through this know-how, what as soon as would have been a sluggish technique of finding, driving to, and refueling at a licensed hydrogen station elsewhere could be as simple as strolling to the again of your private home, house, or place of business.

It’s additionally value mentioning that the photo voltaic panel in your Toyota at-home hydrogen station would use {the electrical} power from the photo voltaic panel or a distinct electrical supply for the gas cell equipment.

Making Hydrogen More Accessible Can Only Help Toyota

• In 2023, there are solely 59 lively hydrogen refueling stations within the U.S.
• There are plans to extend this quantity by 50 stations.

One of the present struggles for Toyota Mirai and the corporate’s hydrogen efforts has been the dearth of widespread information and entry to this know-how. First, it is value noting that thus far, there are only 59 active hydrogen fuel stations in the United States, with 50 on the best way.

Even then, we solely have 100-ish hydrogen stations amongst choose states within the nation, which isn’t close to sufficient to energy the variety of autos at present on the roads and future projections. Therefore, via this “Shared Hydrogen Network,” you’ll develop the hydrogen attain following an at-home technique alongside photo voltaic and smartphone tech. This alone would revolutionize the house and electric car market tremendously.

Most Hydrogen Stations Are In California

Something to concentrate on is that as a result of Mirai fashions are offered in California, and the state has pioneered this effort alongside main manufacturers like Toyota, nearly all of gas stations within the U.S. fall inside California’s borders.

Per the Department of Energy, there will likely be added hydrogen gas stations added to Hawaii (one) and 5 deliberate for the northeastern states. Even then, we cannot see a major public push for these nationwide for a few years. With Toyota shifting gears towards protected at-home hydrogen storage and refueling, Mirai customers could bypass this station shortage.

Storing Hydrogen Safely In Your Home Would Be Groundbreaking

• Hydrogen is considered one of Earth’s lightest and easiest parts.
• Storing hydrogen has been almost unimaginable at an at-home, wide-scale stage.

Because hydrogen is among the lightest and simplest elements on Earth, storage turns into almost unimaginable. One factor about hydrogen is that it has low volumetric power density; it will probably simply be misplaced within the ambiance when uncovered. This makes at-home refueling an uphill battle, particularly for the on a regular basis one that may not perceive the sensitivity of hydrogen to the world round us.

That mentioned, by way of Toyota’s Shared Hydrogen Network, we may see a solution to basically harvest, seize, and retailer hydrogen with out shedding it between refuels. These methods are underneath growth by Toyota and may come to fruition inside the subsequent few years. Of course, their last kind, value, and availability will likely be up for query in the intervening time.

Because Toyota’s spearheading hydrogen storage on the client stage, this requires in depth testing, product growth, and sources. Hydrogen is NOT simply maintained, and this Shared Hydrogen Network will take a few years to excellent. Hydrogen engines are the next wave of clean energy, with many manufacturers targeted on them.

Through Hydrogen Sharing, Toyota Could Majorly Disrupt The Car Industry

• Toyota is set to advance its hydrogen fleet and gas choices.
• We may see the model take a Supercharger-inspired path with its hydrogen stations.

Although this residence fueling system will likely be a problem to get to market, Toyota is spearheading the ever-daunting query of local weather change and the way manufacturing can be utilized to fight it. As of this patent submitting, it is clear that Toyota has plans to dramatically change how we see and use hydrogen at a client stage and retailer it safely at residence.

Moreover, Toyota’s tough drafts of this technique give us perception into what kind of individual may benefit from it and the difference of solar energy, pure water/fuel, and an authentication course of by way of smartphone. As stations start to pop up round California, Hawaii, and the East Coast of the United States, demand for these refueling stations and hydrogen models will continue to grow.

The most important query, nonetheless, is that if Toyota will focus solely on at-home gas sharing or if it may take this to the extent of what Tesla did with Supercharger Stations. The Mirai has made great strides and has been successful for Toyota at a small level.

A nationwide hydrogen harvesting and storage growth would open the gates for Toyota to do one thing a lot bigger. With plans within the hopper for brand spanking new autos utilizing gas cell know-how, Toyota has to make a “Shared Hydrogen Network” that each proprietor can use and luxuriate in long-term.