In 1997, Toyota established itself in the vanguard of fuel-efficiency by introducing the world’s first mass-produced gas/electric hybrid vehicle, the hugely successful Prius. Last week, Toyota’s newest groundbreaking effort, the Mirai (pronounced “mee-rye”), emerged victorious at a Pacific Northwest event called Drive Revolution, in Portland.
Drive Revolution is a green-vehicle comparison and evaluation competition put on by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA), a nonprofit organization for professionals working in automotive media – including newspaper, magazine, television, radio and online outlets.
This year, in a field of 16 vehicles including all-electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and diesel versions, the Toyota Mirai was the only hydrogen fuel cell car. Participating NWAPA members spent a full day driving and evaluating every vehicle on routes incorporating city and highway environments. The event coincided with EV Roadmap, a leading national electric-vehicle conference, and the re-dedication of Electric Avenue, Portland’s hub for vehicle charging, at its new location outside Portland General Electric’s headquarters.
By the time Drive Revolution wrapped up, NWAPA members collectively had chosen Mirai as the organization’s Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year.
The 2016 Toyota Mirai is the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. It has an EPA-estimated 67 mpg equivalent. A four-door midsize sedan, it can travel up to 312 miles on a single fill of hydrogen, and is the only zero-emission electric vehicle on the market that tops a 300-mile range. Refueling takes approximately 5 minutes.
Using hydrogen, oxygen and a fuel cell, Mirai creates electric power on demand. In the process, it emits nothing but water vapor. As Toyota says, it fully competes with traditional internal combustion engines, but uses no gasoline whatsoever. Mirai’s horsepower rating is 153 and it produces peak torque of 248 lb-ft.
The Mirai goes on sale this October, initially only at select Toyota dealerships in California, with a base price of $57,500. Standard features include 8-way power adjustable and heated seats, heated power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, premium audio system with navigation, JBL and Entune App Suite, and a full complement of safety systems including blind spot monitoring, lane departure alert, backup camera and rear cross-traffic alert. Specific to the hydrogen fuel cell system are intelligent hydrogen monitoring, temperature-activated pressure relief devices, and electronic hydrogen leak detection.
Buyers also receive 3 years’ worth of complimentary fuel; 3 years of complimentary Safety Connect and Entune, including a hydrogen station finder app; 3 years of 24/7 customer call support; and the Mirai Complimentary Rental Experience giving them the use of a non-fuel-cell vehicle for seven days per year for 3 years.
An enhanced version of the ToyotaCare service plan and roadside assistance is also included, providing no-cost scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 35,000 miles, whichever comes first; no-cost enhanced roadside assistance for 3 years, regardless of mileage, including expedited towing service and trip interruption reimbursement at a maximum of $500 per day for up to five days per incident; and an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on key fuel cell vehicle components including the stack and power control unit, hydrogen tanks, hybrid battery pack and ECU, air compressor and boost converter.
In Japanese, “mirai” means “the future.” With Toyota’s forward-thinking mentality and history of mass-market success, along with the world’s desperate need to turn its back on fossil fuels, the name is perfect.
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association.
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