How many miles can a Toyota Mirai go on a full tank?

About 402 miles on a full hydrogen tank, according to EPA estimates for recent Mirai models.

The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Its official range comes from standardized EPA testing, which assumes typical driving conditions and temperatures. Real-world mileage can vary based on weather, driving style, terrain, and how the vehicle is used (for example, climate control and hot/cold-start conditions). This article breaks down the factors that influence range, what you can expect in typical use, and tips to optimize efficiency.

What determines the Mirai's range

Several factors influence how far a Mirai can travel on a full tank. The following elements interact to shape real-world mileage.

• Ambient temperature and climate-control use, especially heating or air conditioning


• Driving style, speed, and terrain (highway cruising vs. city driving and hills)


• Vehicle load, payload, and aerodynamics (roof racks, spoilers, or heavy cargo)


• Fuel-cell operating efficiency and system conditions during fueling and travel


• Hydrogen fueling quality and station performance, including fill pressure


• Tire condition and inflation, as well as overall vehicle maintenance

These factors mean that while the EPA-estimated 402 miles serves as a useful benchmark, your actual range will vary with circumstances and usage.

Maximizing range on a Mirai

To stretch the miles on a hydrogen trip, consider the following practical steps.

• Drive at steady, moderate speeds and anticipate stops to reduce rapid acceleration


• Keep tires inflated to the recommended pressures and maintain proper maintenance


• Limit use of auxiliary systems when possible (heavy climate-control use can impact range)


• Plan routes to minimize elevation changes and aggressive braking where feasible


• Precondition the cabin while the car is plugged in to reduce load on the fuel cell when starting


• Fuel at reputable hydrogen stations and monitor fill pressure for optimal performance

By adopting efficient driving habits and maintaining the vehicle, you can approach the EPA-rated range more consistently in favorable conditions.

Real-world vs EPA estimate

EPA ratings reflect standardized testing and typical conditions, which may not match every trip. Cold weather, high-speed driving, heavy loads, or extensive climate-control use can reduce range, while mild weather and efficient driving can bring you closer to the official figure. For planning longer trips, allow for a practical buffer beyond the EPA estimate.

Summary

The Toyota Mirai is EPA-rated to travel about 402 miles on a full hydrogen tank for recent model years. Real-world range will vary with temperature, driving style, terrain, and vehicle usage. With mindful driving and proper vehicle maintenance, you can maximize your effective range and plan hydrogen stops more reliably.

How much does it cost to fill up Mirai?

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. 

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 far does a Toyota Mirai go on full tank?

A Toyota Mirai's range on a full tank is EPA-estimated to be up to 402 miles for the 2021 XLE model, but real-world range varies based on factors like driving style, weather, and A/C use. For example, a 2022 Limited model has an estimated range of 357 miles. Real-world results often fall short of the advertised figures, with some drivers reporting ranges closer to 300 miles or less, especially when using the air conditioning or heating. 
This video shows a real-world driving experience with the Toyota Mirai and discusses its range: 1mMirai ClubYouTube · Feb 11, 2023
Factors affecting range

• Driving conditions: Aggressive driving and driving on hilly roads will reduce your range compared to steady, conservative speeds on flat roads. 
• Climate control: Using the air conditioning or heater significantly lowers the real-world range, with some users seeing a drop of around 15-20 miles. 
• Vehicle and road conditions: Load condition, vehicle maintenance, and road conditions can all affect mileage and range. 

Model-specific estimates

• 2021 Mirai XLE: Up to 402 miles (EPA-estimated).
• 2022 Mirai XLE: Up to 402 miles (EPA-estimated).
• 2022 Mirai Limited: Up to 357 miles (EPA-estimated).
• 2016 Mirai: 312 miles (EPA-estimated).