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Toyota Mirai

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Toyota Mirai: Toyota Mirai: A Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Luxury Sedan
Photo: Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyota Mirai: A Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Luxury Sedan

The Mirai is Toyota's hydrogen fuel-cell sedan, producing electricity from hydrogen and emitting only water, wrapped in a sleek rear-drive luxury body.

The Mirai, whose name means future in Japanese, is one of the world's few mass-produced hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Rather than plugging in, it generates its own electricity on board by combining hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel-cell stack, with water vapour as the only tailpipe emission.

The second generation, launched in 2021, moved to a rear-wheel-drive luxury platform shared with Toyota's premium sedans, transforming the Mirai from an awkward early experiment into a genuinely elegant and comfortable car. It offers a long driving range and can be refuelled in minutes, much like a conventional car.

The Mirai's main limitation is infrastructure: hydrogen refuelling stations remain scarce and concentrated in a few regions. Where they exist, it offers a distinctive zero-emission alternative to battery electric vehicles, and it remains an important showcase for fuel-cell technology.

Frequently asked questions about Toyota Mirai

How does the Toyota Mirai work?
It uses a fuel-cell stack to combine hydrogen with oxygen, generating electricity to drive the car and emitting only water vapour.
What is the Mirai's range?
The second-generation Mirai offers a long driving range, with EPA estimates around 400 miles for the most efficient versions.
How long does it take to refuel the Mirai?
Refuelling with hydrogen takes only a few minutes, similar to filling a conventional gasoline car, unlike charging a battery EV.
What is the main drawback of the Mirai?
Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is scarce and concentrated in a few regions, which limits where the Mirai is practical to own.
What does Mirai mean?
Mirai means future in Japanese, reflecting its role as a showcase for hydrogen fuel-cell technology.

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