Toyota Mirai

Toyota Mirai mk1 Fuel Cell, sedan 4 doors, front wheel drive, 154 hp, range 550 km, battery 1,6 kWh, trunk 361 litres.

Hydrogen car – at least one good reason

Posted 09/05/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

Although "everyone" buys electric cars and "no one" buys hydrogen cars, I have kept the faith that hydrogen cars still have the right of life. Today, faith has become stronger.

A good reason

From 6 May, the electric cars were thrown out of the public transport zone from the E18 west of Oslo. Today's happy news in Asker og Bærum Budstikke and Avisa Oslo is about Margrethe Wam Solvang who is a hydrogen car owner and can speed into the public transport lane perfectly legally. "- I smile and wave to the police who carry out checks", she says – and the police smile and wave back. The ban on electric cars in public transport does not apply to hydrogen cars. They do not need to bring any passengers with them, nor do they have to pay tolls or parking fees in Oslo. Today, as "all" new cars are electric cars, it is probably only a matter of time before electric cars are banished from public transport lanes elsewhere as well. Then you can ask yourself:

Is the time to rethink hydrogen cars?

There are not terribly many hydrogen cars to choose from - neither in Norway nor elsewhere in the world. Of new cars there are Toyota Mirai or Hyundai Nexo. Toyota has a range of 650 km and Hyundai has 666 km. Prices for the Toyota Mirai start at NOK 788, while the Hyundai Nexo no longer appears on Norwegian price lists, but according to German price lists it would cost approximately NOK 400 more than the Mirai. The point is that if you need a hydrogen car to drive in the public transport zone - and thus make your everyday life better, you might as well buy a used hydrogen car. A 100-year-old Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell will do just fine for many years to come.

Fuel cell in brief

I like the designation fuel cell (fuel cell) well. It is the one that converts the hydrogen gas into electricity - which makes the car move. Electricity is also used to form hydrogen gas. This is the biggest weakness of a hydrogen car compared to a battery-powered car. The process of transporting electricity via hydrogen gas results in poorer utilization of the energy than storing the current in a battery.

Toyota Mirai 2 close-up (Photo: Wirestock/depositphotos.com)

Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell hydrogen tank (Photo: autodatanet/depositphotos.com)

Batteries for trouble

The problems with today's electric cars are swept under the rug. It is not allright that a regular family car with a long range should constantly transport a battery weighing 700+ kg. They just build bigger and heavier cars without focusing on the problems it creates - during production, during their lifetime and during scrapping. Furthermore, it is difficult to imagine how cities of millions full of street-parked cars will function with electric cars. Electrifying today's heavy traffic with batteries is even more unthinkable. At the border crossing in La Jonquera between France and Spain, for example, 10 wagon trains pass every 000 hours. The roads on the continent are filled with commercial traffic.

The big bang

I was standing up on Bjerke and thinking - or charging - in June 2019 when it slammed. A sharp bang that I felt from the ground into my body. The hydrogen station for Uno-X at Kjørbo in Sandvika outside Oslo had blown up. Today there is only one functioning hydrogen station in Norway. It is located in Høvik. Hynion AS which runs the station, has plans to open a station in Porsgrunn as well. The lack of hydrogen stations is probably determined by the market. Uno-X pulled out after the bang. Today's company has plans to build more stations, but is dependent on the market picking up. It will require incentives from the authorities, such as being able to continue driving in public transport lanes. A very good reason for many.

Price

according to Hydrogenbil.net 1 kg of hydrogen costs NOK 195. It is enough for about 10 miles when driving calmly. The high price is due to the fact that it is expensive to produce hydrogen. Furthermore, there are no alternatives to Norway's only functioning hydrogen station.

A good, affordable hydrogen car is, for example, the 2016 Toyota Mirai or the Hyundai Tucson IX35 – both with prices starting at around NOK 200.

2016 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell

Car type: Sedan 4 doors
Number of seats: 4
Front wheel drive
Horse power: 154 hp
Torque: 335 Nm
Top speed: 175 km/h
0-100: 9,6 seconds
Range: 550 km
Battery capacity: 1,6 kWh
Length, width, height in cm: 489, 181, 154
Wheelbase in cm: 278
Luggage compartment: 361 litres
Trailer weight: Not possible
Own weight: 1850 kg
Total weight: 2180 kg

2016 Hyundai Tucson IX35 FCEV

Car type: Crossover combi 5 doors
Number of seats 5
Front wheel drive
Horse power: 136 hp
Torque: –
Top speed: 160 km/h
0-100:-
Range: 594 km
Battery capacity: 1,0 kWh
Length, width, height in cm: 441, 182, 165
Wheelbase in cm: 264
Luggage compartment: 488 litres
Trailer weight: Not possible
Own weight: 1846 kg
Total weight: 2250 kg

See

Norwegian Hydrogen Car Association
Hynion AS
Norway's only hydrogen station with record attendance

Toyota Mirai – designed for hydrogen

Posted 05/03/2019 by Terje Bjørnstad

The Toyota Mirai appears to be a bit of an enigma. It is not particularly beautiful, not particularly cheap, - and where did the hydrogen stations in Oslo become? Still, there's something about the Mirai that appeals to me.

Camry at the bottom

Mirai shares chassis, electric motor and hybrid components with Camry hybrid XV50 (2012-2015). The wheelbase is the same as in the Camry, but to accommodate the fuel cells, hydrogen tanks and battery pack, the front and rear overhangs have been increased. The designers of Toyota's first series-produced hydrogen car were not given free rein. Maybe they could have built hydrogen power into the existing Camry, but how wise is it to introduce new cutting-edge technology into an old winner? Then it was safer to create a new design and give the hydrogen project more attention.

Why only four seats?

Why are there only four seats in the Mirai? What is hidden under the large center console between the rear seats? After studying photos and film clips from various phases of the production, I can't see any vital parts there. The answer lies in the heritage of the Camry. The Mirai has also inherited the Camry's overall weight. Equipped for hydrogen operation, the car simply cannot withstand the weight of five adults.

The leather-covered rear seats provide first-class comfort. I wouldn't mind being driven home in a Mirai Taxi, but unfortunately lack of space - and weight restrictions - become an obstacle to success in the taxi industry. A shame, because comfort is actually one of the Mirai's strongest cards. On 17-inch studless Nokian winter tires, the car literally runs silently within the city speed limits. The Camry would hardly have been among America's top three car models over a number of years if the chassis did not deliver a comfortable "ride". Mirai enjoys it.

What signals does Mirai send?

I mentioned that there is something about the Mirai that appeals to me. The front seems somewhat vulgar with its large air intakes and vertical lines. I think they harmonize poorly with the aerodynamic, flattering lines that otherwise appear in the side profile. Corresponding vertical lines are found at the transition between the rear screen and the back piece. The disharmony in the lines, if you can call it that the, also helps to give the car a tough and functional feel. One can certainly defend the vulgar air intakes by saying that fuel cells need a lot of oxygen and apparently a lot of cooling, too.

So what appeals to me? I like cars that stand out, that have character and that are not too common. You'd think the Mirai looks like it does, because it runs on hydrogen. Perhaps that was the designers' intention? Other hydrogen-powered cars, such as the Hyundai ix35, look like a normal ix35. The new Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell also looks pretty normal. The Mirai, on the other hand, stands out.

Mirai's CW value is 0,29. It's like a normal, good family car. The Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq have, by comparison, 0,24.

Wrong technology?

Today, there is a lot of focus on what is the "right" technology. If you choose the wrong technology, you may have problems selling your car in the future. The number of hydrogen stations has unfortunately decreased. Today, I believe that the Oslo area's only hydrogen station is at Kjørbo in Sandvika. With a stated range of 550 km, you shouldn't drive more than 400-450 km between each fill-up. Thus, hydrogen cars are not suitable for all types of driving. Hydrogen is undoubtedly the "wrong technology", at least today. You should therefore not purchase hydrogen car, but rather lease or rent. The car collective previously had the Mirai in its fleet, but has had to give it up due to problems finding hydrogen stations.

No big seller

Over the past few months, it may look like the new Tesla 3 is about to take the US by storm, especially in California, of course. In January (2019), 6 Tesla 500s were sold in the USA. At the same time, 3 Toyota Mirai and 77 Hyundai Nexo were sold. There will be approximately 35 hydrogen stations in California. In the rest of the United States, there are almost none. In Norway, registration number HY31 has recently been issued. A quick search shows that many number series are unused, such is the number of hydrogen cars on the road today not 340. I would assume that the real number is half. 134 hydrogen cars were registered in 2016 and 2017.

Hydrogen is ideal for company vehicles that are more or less in constant operation - or in constant readiness. Sales are unlikely to increase until you start to see a network of hydrogen stations. Still tax relief, zero emissions and the possibility to thought instead of charging, are good arguments for hydrogen.

Hydrogen cars are hardly just a fad. Visions of getting the entire car fleet to zero emissions cannot be realized with a unilateral investment in electric cars, neither in Norway nor in the rest of the world. Therefore, I hope Toyota continues its investment in hydrogen.

Drive and performance

Horsepower: 154
Torque: 335 from 0 revs
Top speed: 175 km/6
0-100: 9,6 seconds

Weights and Measures

Length, width, height in cm: 489, 181, 154
Wheelbase in cm: 278
Track width front, rear in cm: 154, 155
Luggage compartment: 361 litres
Trailer weight: Not possible
Own weight: 1850 kg
Total weight: 2180 kg

Price

559.000 NOK

Technique

When the fuel cells are supplied with hydrogen and oxygen, a reaction takes place that produces electricity – and clean water. The electricity is distributed to the electric motor and to the battery pack. It is the size of the battery packs in today's hybrid cars and is supplied with electricity, including by recovering braking power.

In the picture, the fuel cells are located directly under the seat cushions. There are two hydrogen tanks, one for filling and one for expansion. One tank is located directly under the seat cushions in the rear seat, the other (not visible in the picture) is located between the back of the rear seat and the luggage compartment, directly behind the rear axle. Above, up to the rear seat back is the battery pack.

Sources

Toyota.no
Owner of pictured cars: Toyota Business Plus, Økern
Test drives and viewings were on occasion The car collective and Oslo City Council's inauguration of reserved parking spaces for car sharing at Damplassen, Ullevål Hageby.

Toyota Mirai pictures

Click on the images to see them in a larger format.

See

Will hydrogen be the petrol stations' salvation?

Posted 04/12/2016 by Terje Bjørnstad

Norway's first, and currently only, hydrogen station.

Electricity is the future, but not necessarily via batteries.

Interest in electric cars is great. Opel's new Ampera makes range problems a thing of the past. A completely normal Opel takes you to the cabin without recharging on the way. You can plug the car into the socket on the cabin wall and let it charge while the fireplace crackles and the red wine is poured into the glasses.

Even if range isn't an issue, charging can still be a pain and a nuisance for many. Housing associations and housing associations prohibit the charging of electric cars. Fire protection experts advise against charging from normal wall sockets. If it is not possible to charge at the end stations – at home or at work, charging can become a problem in everyday life. It rarely takes more than 30 minutes to quickly charge to 80% so that you can get further, but this assumes that there is an available charging point nearby. And not least, - that you actually has 30 minutes at your disposal in your hectic everyday life.

Charging customers are bad business for petrol stations.

In a world of only electric cars, I don't see a good future for gas stations. Firstly, many will charge at the end stations and will no longer need to visit other charging stations/petrol stations. Secondly, electric cars on rapid charging for 30 minutes will create less turnover of customers per hour than what petrol cars create. A petrol car customer spends maybe 5 minutes filling up his car, - plus 5-10 minutes if he or she has errands to do indoors. With fewer customers per hour, the income base disappears.

The petrol stations will become greenhouses and not shops.

The hydrogen cars are actually electric cars. Instead of being powered by batteries, they are powered by fuel cells fed with air and hydrogen. You can fill up a full tank as quickly as in a petrol car. Today it only exists en station. It is located in Sandvika, west of Oslo. Uno X aims to offer 20 filling stations by 2020 so that you can drive between the biggest cities. With a possible gradual transition from petrol/diesel to hydrogen, the development can take place through the ordinary petrol station network.

Who wins? The batteries or the fuel cells?

If we look 3-5 years ahead, all electric car manufacturers will offer battery packs with the same range as the Opel Ampera. Perhaps with batteries that are less bulky and even lighter than today. Regarding hydrogen cars, I have read that they can hardly be made more efficient than today, although such statements have been heard before about new technology.

Compared to the hybrid Volkswagen Passat GTE station wagon, the Toyota Mirai is 13 cm longer and weighs about 150 kg more. The hybrid tanks cannot be designed as flat as the battery packs. I don't know if it is the which is the reason why the car is only offered as a four-seater, or whether Toyota wanted to create a distinctive interior design. The two seats in the back are at least as comfortable as the front seats.

The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell does not seem to have lost any space after the hydrogen conversion. It is possible that it has spilled a little over the trunk, but it is difficult to say. The problem with storing hydrogen is that it must be stored in pressure tanks shaped like gas cylinders. The Toyota Mirai has two tanks. I suppose that by dividing the content into several smaller tanks, you make better use of the space.

Who will drive a hydrogen car?

First and foremost those that must be available at short notice, such as the emergency services and other vital community services. I think maybe taxi owners will prefer hydrogen over battery-powered electric cars. Furthermore, I think hydrogen is preferred by car owners who do not have charging options at the end stations, or who cannot, or do not want to, plan driving and charging times. I sense a slight class divide here. Hydrogen cars will be more expensive than battery-powered cars, but in return far more flexible.

The company cars of the future need hydrogen. This assumes that there are hydrogen stations where you travel. I think it will.

It is the profit or loss of petrol stations.

You could probably say that the Toyota Mirai is made for people with special interests. Large air intakes emphasize how important air is for fuel cell technology.

It looks as if the designers at Toyota have been given free rein with regard to the design of the dashboard.

Mirai is supposed to mean "future" in Japanese.

More conventional appearance of the Hyundai ix35 Hydrogen.

The Hyundai ix35 Hydrogen shows that hydrogen works in a family car.

Currently, this car can only be refueled in one place in Norway, namely Uno X's hydrogen station in front of the police station in Sandvika, west of Oslo.

According to Uno X, there are plans to establish 20 hydrogen stations by 2020 so that you can drive between the largest cities. PS: It will probably be a while before you can buy sausages in the booth at the back.

Facts about hydrogen cars

Although hydrogen cars are exempt from one-time tax, the prices are quite high. The Toyota Mirai costs NOK 610, while the Hyundai ix000 costs just under NOK 35. Hydrogen is sold in kg. At the time of writing, 500 kg of hydrogen costs NOK 000 and is enough to drive approx. 1 miles. Hydrogen can be produced in several ways, and it is expected that the price of hydrogen will decrease as the production volume increases. The production of hydrogen uses electricity. From an environmental perspective, it is important that the production of hydrogen is less energy-intensive than the delivery of electricity directly into batteries.

Hydrogen is explosive and must be stored safely. Should a leak occur in the system, the gas will evaporate and disappear quickly into the air.