How far does a Toyota Mirai go on full tank?
Most Mirai generations go about 312 miles per full hydrogen fill, while the newest models are rated around 402 miles. Real-world range varies with conditions.
The Toyota Mirai is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and stores energy in high-pressure tanks. Official range depends on model year, tank capacity, and how you drive. Weather, climate control usage, and driving style all influence the distance between refuels.
EPA range by generation
The following figures illustrate how range has evolved from the original generation to the latest models.
- 2016–2019 Mirai: EPA-estimated range about 312 miles per full tank of hydrogen.
- 2021–present Mirai: EPA-estimated range about 402 miles per full tank.
Note that range can vary with temperature, HVAC use, speed, and load, so these figures are best used as a guide rather than a guarantee.
What affects the range in daily use
Several practical factors influence how far you can go on a full fill in everyday driving.
- Ambient temperature and climate-control usage, which can raise or lower energy use.
- Driving behavior, including speed and acceleration.
- Vehicle load, including passengers and cargo.
- Maintenance, fuel quality/availability of hydrogen stations, and system health.
- Terrain and altitude, which affect efficiency.
In practice, expect a range variation depending on these conditions, sometimes by hundreds of miles across the course of a season.
Maximizing your Mirai's range
Tips to stretch range on a hydrogen Mirai without sacrificing safety or comfort.
- Plan refueling around the hydrogen station network; stations are far less common than gasoline outlets.
- Drive at steady speeds; moderate highway speeds help maximize efficiency.
- Minimize HVAC use and use eco modes when available, especially on longer trips.
- Lighten loads and reduce aerodynamic drag (keep windows closed at high speeds, remove unnecessary roof racks).
- Keep tires properly inflated and perform regular maintenance for optimal efficiency.
Even with best practices, the availability of hydrogen refueling and local conditions will largely determine your actual range on any given trip.
Summary
The Toyota Mirai offers a practical range that varies by generation: roughly 312 miles on earlier models and about 402 miles on the current generation. Real-world mileage will vary with weather, driving style, and HVAC use, and your trip planning should account for the hydrogen refueling network in your area.
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.
How many miles does a Toyota Mirai get on a full tank?
A Toyota Mirai gets an estimated 402 miles on a full tank for the XLE trim, while the Limited trim has an estimated range of 357 miles. The actual range can vary based on driving conditions and habits, but the EPA estimates are a good starting point for understanding the vehicle's potential.
- XLE trim: Up to 402 miles on a full tank.
- Limited trim: Up to 357 miles on a full tank.
- Factors affecting range: The actual mileage you get will depend on driving behavior, weather, use of heating and air conditioning, and other factors.
- Real-world examples: In one test, a Mirai achieved 845 miles on a single fill by driving under specific conditions. However, real-world driving, especially with features like air conditioning, can result in a lower range than the EPA estimate.
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.
How much does Mirai cost to fill up?
Filling up a Toyota Mirai can cost approximately $175 to $202, depending on the current hydrogen fuel price, which can be volatile. For example, a price of $36$ 36$36 per kilogram, combined with the Mirai's 5.6 kg tank, equals $201.60$ 201.60$201.60. The cost is significantly higher than it used to be and much higher than for a comparable electric vehicle.
- Current cost: A full tank can cost around $201.60$ 201.60$201.60 if hydrogen is priced at $36$ 36$36 per kilogram.
- Price per kilogram: Recent prices have been reported to be around $36$ 36$36 per kilogram, a significant increase from earlier prices.
- Comparison to electric vehicles: It is reportedly 14 times more expensive to operate a hydrogen car like the Mirai compared to a comparable electric vehicle in California.
- Free fuel incentives: Many new Mirai purchases include a substantial fuel credit, often around $15,000$ 15 comma 000$15,000 worth of free hydrogen fuel, which can cover the cost for several years.
