Toyota’s vision for a sustainable hydrogen society recognises the importance of hydrogen as a viable and plentiful source of carrying and storing energy. It has the potential to deliver zero carbon mobility, not just in road vehicles but equally in trains, ships and planes, and to generate power for industry, businesses and homes. It’s also an efficient means of storing renewable energy and can be transported to where it’s needed.

Toyota began development of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in 1992, successfully introducing the Mirai sedan to world markets in 2014. This breakthrough achievement was founded on the company’s world-leading experience in hybrid technology, the core technology for a wide range of different electrified vehicle powertrains.

The basic concept of hybrid power has successfully been adapted to produce hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), battery electric (BEV) and – starting with the Mirai – fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). Each has qualities suited to different mobility requirements: for example, BEVs for shorter commutes and urban driving; HEVs and PHEVs for general and longer distance personal travel; and FCEVs for larger passenger cars, heavy-duty vehicles and public transport.

In 23 years of mass production, Toyota has sold more than 16 million hybrid vehicles worldwide, bringing the technology to the mainstream and helping save millions of tonnes of carbon emissions.

Now a new generation Mirai is being launched, a car that takes FCEV technology to a higher level and offers more emotional customer appeal in terms of dynamic, contemporary styling and more rewarding driving performance. A comprehensively redesigned fuel cell system, intelligent packaging and aerodynamic efficiency help extend the driving range to around 650 km, with no other emissions than pure water.

Increased hydrogen fuel cell system sales

The introduction of the new Mirai will see Toyota target deeper market penetration, supported by an increase in its hydrogen fuel cell production. As stated in Toyota Motor Europe’s Kenshiki Forum in December 2020 (see appendix below), the company expects global fuel cell system sales to increase 10-fold in the short term.

Growth in the Mirai’s sales will be supported by the new model’s stronger performance and greater customer appeal, notably as a more affordable vehicle with a selling price reduced by around 20%.

The practicality of hydrogen FCEV ownership will also steadily increase as markets improve their hydrogen infrastructure, the number of filling stations rises and Governments and local authorities introduce new incentives and regulations for cleaner mobility.

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