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February 17, 2024
By Nikesh Kooverjee
Here’s How Much It Costs To
Refill A Hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai
The Toyota Mirai is offered with
$15,000 worth of free hydrogen for six years. This is how much you'll
pay to refuel once that runs out.
Toyota is one of very few global manufacturers
currently invested in multiple fuel and energy sources for its cars.
Gasoline and electrification are two of its biggest projects, but it
has also shown a strong dedication to developing hydrogen. The Toyota
Mirai is one of few hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles sold in the U.S., all
of which are sold to the Californian market, as this is the only area
with a comprehensive hydrogen fueling network.
The Mirai is one of the most niche cars you can
consider if you're in the market for a zero emissions option. The
four-door liftback sedan has many pros and cons attached to it, but
the big question is whether it is a cost-effective option. Hydrogen is
a fairly costly fuel option, because of its intricate production and
demanding storage, but it may translate to noteworthy savings in the
long run.
The 2024 Toyota Mirai Starts At $50,190
The 2024 Toyota Mirai starts at $50,190. The
base trim is a highly specified XLE, so it is crammed with
comfort, convenience, entertainment, and safety features. At this
price, it does make the hydrogen option a very inaccessible product,
as there are many similar-sized EVs boasting lower starting prices.
As already stated, the Mirai is a very niche
car option and
does not generate much success for Toyota in the North American
market. In 2023,
Toyota sold an impressive 2,248,477 units. 2,737 of these were
Mirais. It's worth noting that this was an all-time best for the
moniker, even
outperforming the Supra by 85 examples.
The Toyota Mirai Costs $200 To Refill
True Zero is currently the lead hydrogen
supplier in California, and
currently charges $36 for a kilogram. The Mirai accommodates 5.6
kg of hydrogen in its 142.2-liter tank, meaning you'll have to spend
$201.60 to refuel. This is an obscene amount that both fossil fuels
and electricity drastically outprice.
The Toyota Mirai Covers 402 Miles On A
Full Tank
You would think that you'd be
able to travel a fair distance on this tank, but Toyota claims the
Mirai will only cover 402 miles in XLE guise, and 357 miles in Limited
specification with the bigger wheel options. The EPA has not tested
the Mirai, but Toyota claims the XLE returns 76/71/74 MPGe on the
city/highway/combined cycle. The Limited returns a 67/64/65 MPG claim.
Toyota
Mirai Energy Consumption
| |
Range |
Fuel economy rating |
Hydrogen tank capacity |
| XSE |
402 miles |
76/71/74 MPGe |
11.9 gallons |
| Premium |
357 miles |
67/64/65 MPGe |
11.9 gallons |
The Toyota Mirai Doesn't Produce
Tailpipe Emissions
The
benefit of hydrogen is that
there are no tailpipe emissions, whatsoever, so if you are an
eco-conscious consumer, this is going to be one of the more fulfilling
cars you can consider. As a result, you get access to the HOV carpool
sticker. The Mirai also needs just five minutes to refuel, which is
significantly faster than a conventional EV.
Toyota Mirai's Hydrogen Emissions
- Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit
only water vapor as a byproduct, making them zero-emission vehicles.
- The water vapor produced from Toyota's
hydrogen vehicles is clean and does not contribute to air pollution.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer a
solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as they do not emit
CO2 during operation.
- Toyota's commitment to hydrogen technology
aligns with its vision for sustainable mobility and reducing
environmental impact.
- The absence of traditional tailpipe
emissions in Toyota's hydrogen vehicles contributes to improved air
quality and public health.
- Toyota continues to invest in hydrogen fuel
cell technology to expand its lineup of zero-emission vehicles and
promote widespread adoption.
The
Mirai converts hydrogen into electricity by mixing it with air sourced
from the intake system. This chemical reaction results in electricity,
some of which is
stored in the car's 1.2 kWh battery pack. The only byproduct of
this chemical reaction is water. Hydrogen is a highly combustible
element, so Toyota has gone out of its way to ensure the tank is as
safe as can be. It is covered with leak-detecting sensors, which
automatically trigger the valves to close if any danger becomes
present.
The Mirai is an appealing package, but its
drastic refueling costs and substandard performance don't paint a
positive and cost-effective picture. The single permanent-magnet motor
generates a mere 182 horsepower,
resulting in a tested 9.1-second 0-60 MPH time and 106 MPH top
speed. Tests also indicate a meager 17-second quarter-mile time.
Toyota Mirai Exterior Dimensions
| Length |
195.8 inches |
| Width |
74.2 inches |
| Height |
57.9 inches |
| Wheelbase |
114.9 inches |
| Front Track |
63.3 inches |
| Rear Track |
63.1 inches |
| Curb Weight |
4,225-4,335 pounds |
(Specifications sourced from Toyota
Toyota handed design responsibilities to its
Lexus division, which is why it bears so many similarities to the
current-generation Lexus ES. The Mirai is criticized for many
things, but its exterior aesthetics is one area where people agree it
excels. The sleek design also benefits from a good 0.29 drag
coefficient rating, aiding its overall efficiency.
The Cost Of Hydrogen In The U.S.
- Hydrogen production costs in the U.S. vary widely depending on
the method, with electrolysis being one of the most expensive.
- Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are driving down
the cost of green hydrogen production.
- Infrastructure costs for hydrogen refueling stations remain high
but are decreasing as adoption grows.
- Incentives and subsidies play a significant role in offsetting
hydrogen production and infrastructure costs.
- Scaling up production and implementing cost-efficient
distribution systems are crucial for reducing hydrogen costs.
- Research and development efforts aim to innovate technologies
and processes to further decrease the cost of hydrogen in the USA.
These prices may seem a bit extreme, but
you'll be elated to learn that Toyota covers the cost of fuel for the
first six years of ownership. If you lease the car, you only get three
years worth of fuel. In both cases, refueling is limited to a total of
$15,000.
The U.S. Has Just Over 50 Hydrogen
Fueling Stations
There are currently 59 hydrogen stations you can access in the
U.S., all of which are located in California, but only in the most
popular areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles. You will find two
stations in Sacramento and one just outside Truckee. But, what comes
as a big blow is
Shell shutting down seven hydrogen stations recently. The
already low number of hydrogen stations further took a hit that not
just affects the owners, but also
automakers that are deeply invested in hydrogen tech.
Hydrogen Stations In The U.S.
- The number of hydrogen refueling stations in the USA is
growing steadily, primarily in California but also expanding to
other states.
- California leads the nation in hydrogen station deployment,
with plans to build a comprehensive network to support fuel cell
vehicle adoption.
- Public and private partnerships play a crucial role in funding
and developing hydrogen refueling infrastructure across the
country.
- Hydrogen station locations are strategically chosen to support
key transportation corridors and urban centers.
- The availability of hydrogen stations influences consumer
confidence and adoption of fuel cell vehicles.
- Continued investment in hydrogen infrastructure is essential
to support the growth of the hydrogen economy and decarbonize
transportation in the USA.
The Department of Energy confirms that suppliers
are busy working on 50 additional hydrogen stations for FCEV owners.
Five of these will be located in northeastern states, further
improving the viability of hydrogen cars for American road users. The
DoE is currently running an H2USA campaign, which involves federal
agencies, automakers, hydrogen providers, fuel cell developers,
national laboratories, and additional stakeholders to advance hydrogen
supply across the country. While admirable, it's clear that the uptake
is not as urgent as electric car charging stations, of which there are
already well over 160,000.
Green Play Ammonia™, Yielder® NFuel Energy.
Spokane, Washington. 99212
509 995 1879
Cell, Pacific Time Zone.
General office:
509-254
6854
4501 East Trent
Ave.
Spokane, WA 99212
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