How much does it cost to refill a Mirai?
The cost to refill a Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can vary depending on several factors, but on average, it ranges from $40 to $80 per refill. The Mirai is one of the first mass-produced hydrogen-powered cars available to consumers, and understanding the refueling costs is important for potential buyers.
Factors Affecting Mirai Refueling Costs
The primary factors that influence the cost to refill a Mirai include:
- Hydrogen Fuel Prices: The price of hydrogen fuel can fluctuate based on supply, demand, and regional availability. Hydrogen is typically sold by the kilogram (kg), and prices can range from $10 to $20 per kg.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: The Mirai has a hydrogen fuel tank capacity of 5.6 kg. The cost to fill the tank will depend on the current price per kg of hydrogen.
- Refueling Station Locations: The availability and location of hydrogen refueling stations can also impact the cost. Stations in urban areas or near major highways may charge higher prices than those in more rural locations.
Based on these factors, the typical cost to refill a Mirai's 5.6 kg hydrogen tank can range from around $40 to $80 per refill.
Comparing Mirai Refueling Costs to Other Vehicles
When compared to the cost of refueling traditional gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles, the Mirai's refueling costs can be higher. However, the Mirai's fuel efficiency and lack of direct emissions can offset these higher refueling costs over time.
For example, the average cost to refuel a gasoline-powered vehicle in the United States is around $30 to $50 per fill-up, depending on the vehicle's fuel tank size and the current price of gasoline. Diesel-powered vehicles typically have a higher refueling cost, ranging from $40 to $80 per fill-up.
While the Mirai's refueling costs may be higher, the vehicle's fuel efficiency and environmental benefits can make it a more cost-effective option in the long run, especially as hydrogen infrastructure and production continue to expand.
Is a Toyota Mirai worth it?
Whether the Toyota Mirai is worth it depends on your location and tolerance for limited hydrogen fueling options. It offers a luxury interior, a long range (up to 402 miles), and quick refueling, and comes with incentives like a $15,000 fuel card. However, the severely limited hydrogen infrastructure means it's only practical if you live near a station and can afford to be inconvenienced, with many owners reporting frustration with broken pumps and difficulty finding a place to refuel.
Reasons it might be worth it
- Luxury and performance: The Mirai has a high-quality, Lexus-like interior and offers a smooth, powerful ride.
- Quick refueling: Refueling with hydrogen takes about as long as a gas car, unlike the hours needed to charge a typical electric vehicle.
- Long range: The Mirai has an impressive range of up to 402 miles on a full tank.
- Financial incentives: Toyota includes a $15,000 hydrogen fuel card for new purchases or leases, which can significantly offset fuel costs.
- Complimentary rentals: Toyota offers 21 complimentary rental car days over three years to use for road trips where hydrogen stations are not available.
Reasons it might not be worth it
- Limited and unreliable fuel infrastructure: The biggest drawback is the lack of hydrogen fueling stations. These stations are rare, and when they do exist, they are often out of service.
- Inconvenience: The limited number of working stations can force you to drive long distances to refuel or even leave the car parked if no stations are available.
- Hydrogen production concerns: Hydrogen is often produced from natural gas, a process that emits CO2.
- Potential for high cost: While the included fuel credit is generous, the per-gallon cost of hydrogen can be expensive, especially compared to electricity for a battery EV.
- Resale value: The resale and trade-in values of older Mirai models have depreciated significantly.
Is hydrogen car cheaper than gas?
Fueling Costs
While the current price of hydrogen is higher than gasoline, fuel cells are approximately 2.5 times more efficient than gasoline engines. An added bonus is that most fuel cell car manufacturers include three years' worth of free fuel with a vehicle.
How much does it cost to fill up a Toyota 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.
How long does a Toyota Mirai fuel cell last?
A Toyota Mirai's lifespan is not definitively known, but the fuel cell components are expected to last for 150,000 to 200,000 miles, similar to conventional gasoline or EV engines. Toyota provides a specific 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty for the fuel cell system. Proper maintenance, responsible driving habits, and avoiding excessive weight will help maximize the vehicle's longevity.
Factors that influence lifespan
- Fuel cell lifespan: The lifespan of the fuel cell is estimated to be between 150,000 and 200,000 miles, similar to other types of engines.
- Fuel cell warranty: Toyota includes an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty on the fuel cell stack components.
- Maintenance: Proper maintenance, including regular air filter changes and avoiding driving in very dusty conditions, is crucial for the fuel cell's longevity.
- Driving habits: Avoiding aggressive driving and driving on terrain the vehicle isn't designed for can help extend the life of all components.
- Vehicle weight: Carrying excessive cargo can put added pressure on various components and potentially shorten the lifespan of the vehicle.
Other considerations
- Hydrogen tanks: The high-pressure hydrogen tanks are designed to be durable but are sometimes noted in forums as having a shorter lifespan (around 10 years), though this is not a widely publicized issue and is often a point of user discussion on platforms like Reddit.
- Infrastructure: The long-term viability of the vehicle may also be impacted by the availability and reliability of hydrogen refueling stations, which is an ongoing concern for many owners.
