What is the Toyota Mirai powered by?
The Toyota Mirai is powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
In detail, the car relies on a hydrogen fuel cell system to generate electricity on demand, which then powers an electric motor that drives the wheels. Hydrogen is stored in high‑pressure tanks on board, and a compact battery helps manage power delivery and energy recovery. The result is a zero tailpipe emission vehicle, with water vapor as the sole byproduct when operating on hydrogen.
Core propulsion technology
The core components that enable the Mirai’s propulsion include the hydrogen fuel cell stack, on‑board hydrogen storage, and the electric drivetrain, plus a small high‑voltage battery for energy management.
- Hydrogen fuel cell stack converts hydrogen gas and oxygen from the air into electricity, providing the primary power for the electric motor.
- High‑pressure hydrogen storage tanks hold the fuel on board, enabling practical driving ranges for daily use.
- Electric motor(s) deliver propulsion by using electricity from the stack and the battery.
- Small onboard battery stores energy and supports power delivery, while smoothing fluctuations and enabling regenerative braking.
Together, these elements create a propulsion system that emits only water vapor at the tailpipe, representing Toyota’s approach to zero-emission mobility. Driving range and performance depend on the model year, drive conditions, and refueling habits.
Energy flow and performance details
Understanding how energy moves through the Mirai helps explain its behavior under real‑world conditions.
Fuel cell stack
The stack is the energy generator: hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity with water vapor as a byproduct. This electricity is then used to power the electric motor and, when needed, charge the small battery.
Hydrogen storage and management
Hydrogen is stored in dedicated high‑pressure tanks and fed to the fuel cell stack as required by the vehicle’s energy management system. Safety systems monitor pressure and flow to ensure stable operation.
Drivetrain and energy management
The Mirai uses one or more electric motors to drive the wheels. The vehicle’s energy management system blends power from the fuel cell stack and the battery to provide smooth acceleration, while regenerative braking captures some energy back into the battery for later use.
Summary
The Toyota Mirai runs on a hydrogen fuel‑cell propulsion system. Hydrogen stored on board is converted into electricity by a fuel cell stack, which powers the electric motor and is aided by a small battery. This setup delivers zero tailpipe emissions and represents Toyota’s ongoing commitment to hydrogen‑powered mobility.
