Does the Toyota Mirai use lithium batteries?
No, the Toyota Mirai does not use lithium-ion batteries. Instead, the Mirai is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system that generates electricity to drive an electric motor.
Explaining the Toyota Mirai's Powertrain
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). It uses a fuel cell stack to generate electricity from hydrogen, which then powers an electric motor to drive the wheels. This is different from battery electric vehicles (BEVs) like the Tesla Model 3, which store electricity in large lithium-ion battery packs.
The Mirai's fuel cell stack combines hydrogen from the onboard storage tanks with oxygen from the air to produce electricity through an electrochemical process. This electricity is then used to power the electric motor, with water vapor as the only byproduct. The Mirai does not have a large battery pack like a BEV, but it does have a small lithium-ion battery that stores regenerative braking energy and helps power the electric motor during acceleration.
Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
- Longer Range: The Mirai has an EPA-estimated range of 402 miles, significantly more than most BEVs.
- Faster Refueling: Hydrogen can be refueled in just a few minutes, similar to a gasoline-powered car, unlike the hours required to fully charge a BEV.
- Zero Emissions: Hydrogen fuel cells produce no direct emissions, only water vapor, making them a clean and environmentally-friendly technology.
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the Mirai are still relatively new and face challenges around infrastructure and cost, they offer unique advantages that make them an interesting alternative to traditional battery electric vehicles.
What are the disadvantages of the Toyota Mirai?
Disappointing Cargo Capacity. The Toyota Mirai needs more cargo and personal item storage, which could be a significant downside for those who need ample space. The trunk offers a limited capacity of just 9.6 cubic feet, which is relatively small for a car of its size.
How long does a tank of hydrogen last on a Toyota Mirai?
The latest generation Toyota Mirai can power you 650 km on a single tank of hydrogen, emission-free.
What kind of battery does the Toyota Mirai use?
lithium-ion
Is there a downside to hydrogen cars?
More energy- and labor-intensive to store and transport hydrogen than gasoline or diesel fuel. Fuel cells are expensive to replace. Safety concerns over hydrogen flammability and electrical shock. Maintenance costs remain unclear.
Do hydrogen cars have lithium batteries?
Any energy source has some safety issues, and as technology advances, high safety will continue to improve. In terms of buying costs, traditional petrol cars remain engines, pure electric cars are mainly lithium batteries and hydrogen cars are mainly battery packs and high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks.
What kind of hydrogen does Toyota Mirai use?
The Mirai uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which features both fuel cell technology and hybrid technology, and includes Toyota's new proprietary FC Stack and high-pressure hydrogen tanks.
