Toyota hydrogen fuel cell car runs 312 miles after 5-minute refuelling |
Toyota’s hydrogen car “Mirai” has made an immensely successful debut in the United States with 34 cars sold last month. Elated at the popularity of this fuel-cell sedan, world’s No. 1 car maker now plans to produce 2,000 vehicles in 2016 and raise it to 30,000 in the next five years.
The delivery of the car priced at $58,335 began on Oct. 21, 2015. Toyota selected California, as the state leads in building hydrogen stations. The car maker has plans to sale at least 100 of these cars dubbed as the future of transportation this year. It is available for both buying and leasing.
Toyota has plans to start selling Mirai hydrogen car in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Mirai – “future” in Japanese – is the third hydrogen car to be available after Honda FCX Clarity and Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell. While Honda discontinued its model and is planning a new version, Hyundai offers its car on lease. To make the car attractive, Toyota offers free fuel and on-the-road support to the riders for three years.
Different from battery-electric cars, Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell car has a much higher range – 312 miles with a single refuelling that takes less than five minutes. At present, Toyota makes about 1,000 cars a month at its plant in Japan. The price is also expected to scale down with advancement in the hydrogen fuel technology.
Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water and get power from hydrogen-oxygen reaction. Toyota has created a subsidiary FirstElement Fuel to develop technology, enhance affordability and support fuel cell research for hydrogen cars.
California offers $5,000 rebate on each Mira hydrogen fuel cell car in an effort to promote zero-emission transportation. The state plans an investment of $200 million to build over 100 hydrogen stations.
Toyota has been engaged in developing hydrogen cars since the early 1990s. Mirai was introduced in Japan in December 2014. In the last one year, the company sold over 400 hydrogen cars. Encouraged by the government subsidy, the car has been a big hit and waiting list (more than 1,500) at present goes up to a year.
Meanwhile, Honda is set to launch its hydrogen car Clarity in the United States in 2016. The car maker plans to develop a hybrid car and introduce it in all 50 states.
Image Credit: http://antyweb.pl/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Toyota-Mirai.jpg
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