Beatrice Lang
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle. It uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate electricity, without creating tailpipe emissions. The Mirai is distinct from most electric vehicles on the market as it does not use high-capacity batteries or charging stations. Instead, it uses an onboard fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity, which is then routed to a 182-hp electric motor. This makes refueling faster and simpler than other electric vehicles, which is a major selling point for the Mirai.
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What You'll Learn
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen-fuelled vehicle
Toyota has been selling the Mirai since 2015, and the car is now in its second generation. The Mirai uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which features both fuel cell technology and hybrid technology. The system includes high-pressure hydrogen tanks, which are lined with polymers and covered in carbon fibre. The Mirai's hydrogen tanks have a three-layer structure made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, with a combined weight of 87.5 kg and a capacity of 5 kg.
The Mirai's electric motor is located at the rear of the car, and the vehicle is rear-wheel drive. The Mirai offers a range of around 400 miles per fill-up of hydrogen, although the limited hydrogen refuelling infrastructure means that drivers will have to stick mainly to California. Refuelling takes between 3 and 5 minutes.
The Mirai is distinct from most other electric vehicles on the market due to its unique fuel-cell electric powertrain. It does not have high-capacity batteries or charging stations but instead uses an onboard fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity. This makes refuelling faster and simpler than with traditional electric vehicles. Each Mirai comes with up to $15,000 of complimentary hydrogen, as well as various other owner benefits.
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It uses hydrogen to generate electricity
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that uses hydrogen to generate electricity. It combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate power, without creating tailpipe emissions. The hydrogen is stored in two carbon fibre-reinforced fuel tanks, which are designed to automatically close in the event of a leak or collision to prevent the escape of hydrogen. The electricity generated from the hydrogen is then routed to an electric motor, providing power to the rear wheels.
The Mirai's electric motor was relocated from the front to the rear of the car following its 2021 generational rework, making it a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. This change improved the car's performance, with a surprising level of athleticism while preserving a refined and composed ride. The Mirai's interior offers a rich-looking design and plentiful tech, including heated and power-adjustable seats, keyless entry, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The Mirai is distinct from most other electric vehicles on the market due to its unique fuel-cell electric powertrain. It does not rely on high-capacity batteries or charging stations but instead uses an onboard fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity. This makes refuelling faster and simpler, which is a significant advantage over other electric vehicles. Toyota has been selling the Mirai since 2015, and it is now in its second generation, demonstrating the company's commitment to offering this alternative power source.
The Mirai's fuel cell technology is more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines and emits no CO2 or substances of concern during operation. It has a range of up to 402 miles per fill-up of hydrogen, although the limited hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is currently a challenge for drivers outside of California. The Mirai has been recognised for its innovative design and technology, winning awards such as the 2016 World Green Car of the Year and the 2021 Car Technology of the Year by the Hispanic Motor Press.
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It's an electric vehicle with no high-capacity batteries
The Toyota Mirai is a unique electric vehicle. Unlike most electric vehicles, it does not rely on high-capacity batteries or charging stations. Instead, it uses hydrogen fuel-cell technology to generate electricity. This means that the Mirai combines hydrogen from its fuel tank with oxygen from the outside air to produce power, resulting in zero tailpipe emissions.
The Mirai's on-board fuel cell converts hydrogen gas into electricity, which is then funnelled to a 182-hp electric motor. This electric motor was moved to the rear of the car in 2021, making the Mirai rear-wheel drive. While the Mirai's acceleration lags behind that of other EVs, its handling is surprisingly enjoyable, with a refined and athletic ride.
One of the key advantages of the Mirai's hydrogen-powered system is the speed and simplicity of refuelling. Refuelling takes between 3 and 5 minutes, and Toyota projects a total range of 300 to 400 miles on a full tank. This is comparable to, or even surpasses, the range of many electric vehicles. However, the limited hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is currently a drawback, restricting drivers to areas like California.
The Mirai's fuel-cell technology is more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines and emits no CO2 or substances of concern during operation. The Mirai's tanks are also designed with safety in mind, featuring hydrogen detectors and valves that automatically close in the event of a leak or collision. The tanks are lined with polymers and covered in carbon fibre, enabling them to absorb five times more crash energy than steel.
Overall, the Toyota Mirai stands out as a pioneer in the automotive industry, showcasing the potential of hydrogen fuel-cell technology and offering a glimpse into a future beyond fossil fuels.
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The Mirai has a unique fuel-cell electric powertrain
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen-fuelled vehicle, one of only a handful available in the United States. It is unique in that it does not rely on high-capacity batteries or charging stations. Instead, it uses an onboard fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity. This electricity is then funnelled to a 182-hp electric motor.
The Mirai's powertrain is distinct from that of other electric vehicles. It uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which includes proprietary Toyota-developed components such as the fuel cell stack, FC boost converter, and high-pressure hydrogen tanks. The TFCS is more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines and emits no CO2 or harmful substances when driven.
The Mirai's hydrogen tanks are made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic with a three-layer structure, designed to be strong and durable in a crash. The hydrogen from the fuel tank combines with oxygen from the outside air to generate power, without creating tailpipe emissions. This chemical reaction creates electricity, which powers the Mirai.
The Mirai's electric motor is located at the rear of the car, making it rear-wheel drive. This gives the car a surprising level of athleticism, as well as a refined and composed ride. The Mirai also has a range of standard interior features, including heated and power-adjustable seats, keyless entry, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The Mirai is an impressive example of hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology, offering a unique and environmentally friendly powertrain option for consumers.
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It's a hybrid with a hydrogen fuel cell
The Toyota Mirai is a hybrid vehicle with a hydrogen fuel cell. It combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate power, without creating tailpipe emissions. The hydrogen-oxygen reaction in the fuel cell produces electricity, which is then converted into power. This is done through the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which features both fuel cell and hybrid technology. The Mirai's electric motor was relocated from the front to the rear of the car following its 2021 generational rework, making it a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.
The Mirai's hydrogen fuel cell technology is a unique feature that sets it apart from most other electric vehicles on the market. While it is an electric vehicle, it does not rely on high-capacity batteries or charging stations. Instead, it uses an onboard fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity. This makes refuelling the Mirai much faster and simpler than other electric vehicles, as it can be done through a fuelling-station pump.
The Mirai's hydrogen fuel cell has been in development since the early 1990s and has undergone extensive testing, including over 1,600,000 km of road testing. The hydrogen tanks are designed with safety in mind, featuring a three-layer structure made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic and lined with polymers. In the event of a leak or collision, the valves will automatically close to prevent hydrogen from escaping, and any spilled hydrogen will safely return to the atmosphere as a non-combustible gas.
The Mirai offers a range of standard features, including heated and power-adjustable seats, keyless entry and ignition, faux-leather upholstery, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. It also comes with a variety of owner benefits, such as roadside assistance, extended warranties, and complimentary rental experiences. The Mirai provides a surprisingly enjoyable driving experience, with a refined ride and lively handling.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Toyota Mirai is an electric car. However, it is distinct from most electric vehicles on the market as it does not use high-capacity batteries or charging stations. Instead, it uses an onboard fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity.
The Mirai combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate power. The hydrogen is stored in the car's fuel-cell tank, and the electricity generated from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen is routed to an electric motor.
The Mirai's fuel-cell technology offers several advantages. Refuelling is fast and simple, taking between 3 and 5 minutes. It also has a long driving range of up to 402 miles per fill-up of hydrogen. Additionally, the Mirai produces no tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce environmental impact.
The Mirai offers a unique driving experience compared to other electric vehicles. While it may not provide the same acceleration as some EVs, it is still enjoyable to drive, with a refined ride and lively handling. The Mirai also stands out with its luxurious interior, rich design, and plentiful tech features.
The Mirai is designed with several safety features in mind. The hydrogen tanks are reinforced with carbon fiber and polymers, making them highly durable and crash-resistant. In the event of a leak or collision, the hydrogen tank valves automatically close to prevent the escape of hydrogen. The Mirai also includes standard driver-assistance features such as automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
