What do you fill a Toyota Mirai with?
The Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), is filled with compressed hydrogen gas, not gasoline or diesel. The Mirai uses hydrogen as its primary fuel source to generate electricity and power the vehicle's electric motor.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology in the Toyota Mirai
The Toyota Mirai is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which is a type of electric vehicle that generates its own electricity on-board. The fuel cell combines hydrogen gas from the vehicle's storage tanks with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, which then powers the electric motor and charges the battery. This process is emission-free, with the only byproduct being water vapor.
The Mirai has two high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks that hold the compressed hydrogen fuel. When the driver refuels the vehicle, they connect a hydrogen dispenser to the Mirai's fuel port and fill the tanks with hydrogen gas, much like refueling a traditional gasoline-powered car.
Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
- Zero Emissions: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the Mirai produce no direct emissions, only water vapor, making them a clean and environmentally-friendly transportation option.
- Rapid Refueling: Hydrogen refueling is a quick process, taking only a few minutes to fill up the vehicle's tanks, similar to refueling a gasoline car.
- Long Range: The Toyota Mirai has an EPA-estimated range of up to 402 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, providing ample driving distance between refueling stops.
While hydrogen fuel cell technology is still developing, vehicles like the Toyota Mirai represent an exciting step towards a more sustainable transportation future.
