Does the Toyota Mirai take regular gas?
No, the Toyota Mirai does not take regular gasoline. The Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), which means it runs on compressed hydrogen gas rather than traditional gasoline or diesel fuel.
What is the Toyota Mirai?
The Toyota Mirai is a mid-size sedan that was first introduced in 2014. It is one of the first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles available to consumers. Unlike traditional electric vehicles that run on battery power, the Mirai uses a fuel cell to generate electricity from hydrogen, which then powers an electric motor to drive the wheels.
Why Doesn't the Mirai Use Regular Gas?
The Mirai is designed to run exclusively on compressed hydrogen gas, not gasoline. Hydrogen fuel is stored in high-pressure tanks on the vehicle, and the fuel cell converts the hydrogen into electricity to power the electric motor. Attempting to fill the Mirai with regular gasoline would damage the fuel system and prevent the vehicle from operating properly.
Where Can I Refuel the Mirai?
- Hydrogen fueling stations are still relatively limited compared to traditional gas stations, but the network is growing, especially in California where the Mirai is primarily sold.
- Owners of the Mirai can use a mobile app or website to locate the nearest hydrogen fueling station.
- Toyota also provides Mirai owners with a $15,000 credit for hydrogen fuel to help offset the cost of refueling during the first three years of ownership.
While the Mirai may not be able to use regular gasoline, its hydrogen fuel cell technology offers a zero-emission alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. As the hydrogen fueling infrastructure continues to expand, the Mirai and other FCEVs may become a more viable option for eco-conscious drivers.
What is the lawsuit against Toyota Mirai?
Toyota faces legal action over lack of hydrogen fuel infrastructure. California Mirai owners filed a class-action lawsuit against Toyota seeking $5.7 billion in damages. Plaintiffs allege Toyota concealed reliability issues and misrepresented hydrogen infrastructure.
What kind of gas does a Toyota Mirai take?
A Toyota Mirai takes hydrogen gas, not gasoline, and is a fuel cell electric vehicle that generates its own electricity. The hydrogen is stored in high-pressure tanks and reacts with oxygen to produce electricity, with water being the only byproduct.
About hydrogen fueling
- The Mirai is refueled at a specialized hydrogen fueling station, which can look similar to a gas station but uses a different nozzle and hose for hydrogen.
- Refueling a Mirai is similar in speed to filling a conventional car with gasoline.
- Due to its odorless and colorless nature, it is difficult to detect hydrogen leaks by sight or smell, so the vehicle has a warning system.
- For safety, certain activities like smoking and using mobile phones are prohibited at the fueling station.
How much does it cost to refill a Toyota Mirai?
Refilling a Toyota Mirai typically costs around $175 to $200 per fill-up after the complimentary fuel period ends, with a 5.6 kg tank. The cost is high because hydrogen fuel is expensive, with prices fluctuating around $35 per kilogram or more at California fueling stations.
- Estimated Cost: Approximately $175 to $200.
- Fuel Type: Hydrogen.
- Tank Size: 5.6 kg.
- Reason for High Cost: The high price is driven by a currently expensive hydrogen supply chain, making it significantly more costly than gasoline or electricity for most vehicles.
- Complimentary Fuel: New Toyota Mirai purchases and leases often include complimentary fuel for a set period or up to a certain amount, which varies by model year and purchase details.
Is hydrogen fuel cheaper than gasoline?
No, hydrogen fuel is currently more expensive than gasoline on a per-unit-of-energy basis, although its cost per mile can be comparable due to the higher fuel efficiency of hydrogen vehicles. However, the high cost of hydrogen is a major barrier to adoption, with current retail prices being significantly higher than gasoline prices in most markets. Future cost reductions are predicted as production scales up, but significant challenges remain in infrastructure and production costs.
Current cost comparison
- Higher per-unit cost: A kilogram of hydrogen costs significantly more than a gallon of gasoline, which is reflected in the higher price per unit of energy.
- Comparable cost per mile: Despite the higher per-unit cost, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are about 2.5 times more efficient than gasoline engines, making the cost per mile potentially similar to that of gasoline cars.
- Market challenges: The current high cost of hydrogen is due to production and infrastructure challenges, including a lack of price transparency and a lack of market competition.
Future outlook
- Predicted cost reduction: Proponents believe that as production volumes increase, the cost of hydrogen will decrease, making it more competitive with gasoline.
- Government and industry efforts: The U.S. Department of Energy and other organizations are working to reduce the cost of hydrogen fuel through initiatives like the Earthshots program.
- Potential to be competitive: With advancements in technology and increased economies of scale, it is possible that hydrogen fuel could become cost-competitive with gasoline in the future.
Key factors to consider
- Efficiency: The higher efficiency of FCVs is a key factor in making them cost-competitive with gasoline vehicles on a per-mile basis.
- Infrastructure: The limited availability of hydrogen fueling stations is a major challenge to adoption, and building out this infrastructure will be a significant undertaking.
- Production cost: The cost of producing hydrogen is currently high, but experts believe that it could decrease significantly in the coming years as production scales up.
