How long does it take to fill a Mirai?
Filling a Mirai, Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, takes approximately 3-5 minutes. The Mirai has a hydrogen fuel tank capacity of 5.6 kg, which allows it to travel up to 312 miles on a single fill-up. The quick refueling time and long range make the Mirai a practical choice for drivers who need the convenience of traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
Understanding the Mirai's Refueling Process
The Mirai is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which generates electricity to drive the vehicle's electric motor. Unlike battery electric vehicles that require hours to recharge, the Mirai can be refueled with hydrogen in just a few minutes, similar to the experience of filling up a traditional gasoline-powered car.
The refueling process for the Mirai involves the following steps:
- Locate a hydrogen fueling station. There are currently over 50 public hydrogen fueling stations in the United States, primarily located in California.
- Pull up to the hydrogen dispenser and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Unlock the fuel door and connect the hydrogen nozzle to the vehicle's fuel inlet.
- The hydrogen is then automatically pumped into the Mirai's 5.6 kg fuel tank at a high pressure of 10,000 psi.
- Once the tank is full, the dispenser will automatically shut off, and the nozzle can be disconnected.
The entire refueling process typically takes 3-5 minutes, depending on the station and the vehicle's fuel level. This quick refueling time is a major advantage of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles compared to battery electric vehicles, which can take hours to recharge.
Factors Affecting Refueling Time
While the typical refueling time for the Mirai is 3-5 minutes, there are a few factors that can influence the actual time it takes to fill up the vehicle:
- Fuel level: The Mirai's fuel tank will take less time to fill if it's already partially full, compared to refilling from an empty tank.
- Hydrogen station capacity: Some hydrogen stations may have a higher fuel delivery rate than others, which can slightly reduce the refueling time.
- Ambient temperature: Colder temperatures can slightly slow the hydrogen refueling process, while warmer temperatures may slightly speed it up.
Despite these minor factors, the Mirai's refueling experience remains significantly faster than the hours-long charging times required for battery electric vehicles.
