How far will a Toyota Mirai go on a full tank?
A Toyota Mirai can travel about 312 miles on a full hydrogen tank in the first-generation models, and about 402 miles in the latest generation.
The Mirai is a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, and its range depends on the generation, the hydrogen storage capacity, driving conditions, temperature, and fueling availability. This article outlines the official estimates by generation and explains the factors that influence real-world distance between refuels.
Range by generation
The following figures reflect EPA estimates for the two major generations of the Mirai.
First generation (2016–2020)
- EPA-estimated range: approximately 312 miles (502 km) per full tank
In practice, range for early Mirai models varied with driving style and climate, but officials consistently cited around the low 300s miles per fill.
Second generation (2021–present)
- EPA-estimated range: approximately 402 miles (647 km) per full tank
The newer generation benefited from improved storage and efficiency, yielding a substantial increase in calculated range compared with the original model.
What determines the Mirai’s range
Several core factors govern how far the Mirai will travel on a full tank, beyond the stated EPA numbers.
Before listing the key factors, note that the following elements can significantly alter real-world distance:
- Hydrogen storage capacity and pressure: The Mirai stores hydrogen at high pressure (around 700 bar), with typical tank layouts totaling roughly 5–6 kilograms of hydrogen depending on the generation.
- Fuel-cell efficiency and vehicle load: Real-world efficiency varies with speed, acceleration, terrain, and any added weight.
- Temperature and climate: Cold weather can reduce efficiency and range, while very hot conditions affect cooling needs and battery management.
- Fueling infrastructure and fueling practices: Availability of hydrogen stations and fueling procedures can influence planning and perceived range.
In practice, your actual range will depend on how you drive, the weather, and how far you travel between fills. A buffer is wise for longer trips, especially in regions with sparse hydrogen networks.
Real-world planning tips
To maximize your Mirai’s effective range and ensure smooth trips, consider these practical steps.
- Plan routes around available hydrogen stations; use the vehicle’s navigation system or apps to locate stations and check hours.
- Adopt steady, fuel-efficient driving habits—gentle acceleration and smooth braking help conserve hydrogen.
- Keep tires properly inflated and use eco-driving modes if available to improve efficiency.
With thoughtful planning and attentive driving, a Mirai can comfortably cover daily commutes and longer trips, provided you stay within the hydrogen network's reach.
Summary
The Toyota Mirai’s official range has grown from about 312 miles per full tank in the first generation to around 402 miles in the current generation. Real-world range depends on driving conditions, weather, and fueling availability, so always plan with station locations and contingencies in mind. As hydrogen infrastructure expands, both generation numbers are likely to become more consistent across everyday use.
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.
How much does it cost to fill up a Mirai tank?
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.
Why is Mirai so cheap?
The Toyota Mirai is cheap because its low resale value is driven by a severely limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure, making it impractical for most people, and high hydrogen fuel costs. Additional factors include faster-than-average depreciation due to rapidly evolving technology and a niche market, along with government incentives that lower the initial price but may affect long-term investment potential.
Key factors contributing to low prices
- Limited hydrogen infrastructure: The U.S. has very few hydrogen fueling stations, with most located in California, and these stations frequently have operational issues, leading to shortages and an unreliable supply.
- High fuel costs: Even where stations are available, the cost of hydrogen is high, making the total cost of ownership expensive and offsetting potential savings, notes this YouTube video.
- Rapid depreciation: As a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in a niche market, the Mirai has a very high depreciation rate. Early models have lost a significant percentage of their value, often exceeding 80% within five years.
- Market saturation: Many used Mirais are lease returns, creating an oversupply in the used market that drives prices down further.
- Government incentives: Incentives, such as free hydrogen fuel for several years, can lower the initial purchase price, but the value of these incentives can decrease over time as fuel prices increase, making the car less appealing for future owners, says Top Speed.
- Concerns about maintenance and reliability: Potential owners are often deterred by concerns about long-term reliability and high repair costs associated with hydrogen fuel cell technology.
