How many gallons to fill a Toyota Mirai?
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, so its fuel is measured in kilograms rather than gallons. In simple terms, the Mirai’s tank holds about 5 kilograms of hydrogen, which is roughly equivalent in energy to about 5 gallons of gasoline. Fueling is done at hydrogen stations, not by pouring in gallons of liquid fuel.
More detail: Modern Mirai models store hydrogen at high pressure (roughly 700 bar) in a pair of storage tanks with a total capacity around 5 kilograms (about 11 pounds). That amount translates to approximately five gasoline gallons’ worth of energy when you compare energy content, but the actual fueling process and measurement are done in kilograms. Real-world range is typically around 400 miles on a full fill, depending on model year, driving conditions, and climate. Hydrogen infrastructure is region-specific, so access to stations varies by area, and pricing is also region-dependent.
Hydrogen capacity and energy equivalence
Below are the key facts about how much hydrogen the Mirai stores and how that translates into a familiar volume-equivalent for context.
- Tank capacity: about 5 kilograms of hydrogen (roughly 11 pounds).
- Energy-equivalent in gallons: about 5 gasoline-gallon equivalents (GGE). This reflects energy content, not physical liquid volume.
- Fuel type and pressure: compressed hydrogen stored at around 700 bar (about 10,000 psi).
- Refueling basics: fills occur at certified hydrogen stations and typically take several minutes, depending on station equipment and conditions.
- Expected range: roughly 400 miles on a full fill for recent models, with variation based on driving conditions.
In summary, the Mirai’s nominal capacity is 5 kg of hydrogen, which aligns with about 5 GGE in energy terms. You don’t literally pour in gallons of hydrogen; you fill by weight at high pressure, and the range you get depends on several real-world factors.
Fueling and practical considerations
Understanding what “gallons” means in this context helps when comparing to gasoline vehicles or calculating fueling costs across regions.
- Fill amount: 5 kg of hydrogen per full tank in most current Mirai versions.
- Hub of operation: hydrogen fueling networks are expanding but remain concentrated in specific regions (notably parts of California and select other areas).
- Cost considerations: price per kilogram varies by region and station; some drivers report costs similar to or slightly higher than gasoline on a per-mile basis, especially in areas with limited station options.
- Practical tip: plan refueling at hydrogen stations ahead of long trips, as network coverage is still less dense than gasoline stations.
For most drivers, the key takeaway is that the Mirai stores hydrogen by weight, not by gallons, with a 5 kg capacity giving roughly five gallons’ worth of energy. The real-world experience depends on station availability, local pricing, and driving conditions.
Summary
The Toyota Mirai’s fuel system holds about 5 kilograms of hydrogen, stored at high pressure. If you were to express that capacity in gasoline terms, it equates to roughly five gallons of gasoline energy, but refueling is performed by weight at specialized hydrogen stations. Expect around 400 miles of range per full tank under typical conditions, with actual numbers varying by model year, temperature, and driving style. Hydrogen fueling infrastructure and pricing are region-dependent, making local station availability a practical factor for potential buyers or commuters.
