Auto manufacturers are trying hard to reduce the carbon footprint with the help of alternatives. This is why electric cars are gaining popularity by the day. In addition to electric vehicles, clean fuel options like hydrogen fuel cell technology are also getting popular in the UAE as a step towards the future of a clean pollution-free environment. This is where Toyota Mirai steps in.
Mirai is among one of the two hydrogen fuel cars available in the UAE, Hyundai Nexo being the other one. However, that’s not the only interesting fact about this model. Let us take a look at a few things you should know about Toyota Mirai.
Important Facts about Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car
Following are some interesting Toyota Mirai facts.
Toyota Mirai Uses Hydrogen
Toyota Mirai is a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that uses hydrogen to generate electricity that powers up the vehicle. Hydrogen fuel cell technology makes use of electrochemical cells, also known as fuel cells, to produce electricity. The fuel cells use hydrogen’s chemical energy to produce electricity cleanly and effectively. As for hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars, better known as Fuel Cell Electric vehicles (FCEV), these electric vehicles or e-cars are powered by an electric motor.
Hydrogen oxygen fuel cell cars are different from Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). They are more environmentally friendly as compared to petrol-powered cars.
Now that the basics have been established, let us take you through some fun facts about Toyota Mirai.
The New Toyota Mirai Has a Coupe-Inspired Exterior
An interesting fact about Toyota Mirai is that it has two models to date, the 2016 model and the 2021 model. The four-seat 2016 sedan has a smart and dynamic look. The 2021 version has an upscale look of a new coupe-inspired body, a more evocative look, a wider grille and narrow headlights.
The Toyota Mirai 2021 has an extended car wheelbase, making the car more powerful. According to various car analysts, the 2021 Toyota Mirai is the most stylish, sporty and biggest supercar by Toyota.
It Has a 12.3 Infotainment Screen
The entire interior of the Toyota Mirai models is comfortable. As for the interior, the front seats are adjustable. Driver-oriented instrumentation includes a luxurious interior made with soft-touch leather, copper and stainless accents in addition to a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The infotainment system adds more value to the car. Here are some useful car infotainment features. Other important interior features include a Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite radio, 14-speaker audio system and in-dash navigation.
It Emits Water
One of the most fascinating facts about Toyota Mirai is about emissions. Water is the only exhaust emissions byproduct. Most water produced is vapor or gas form and it immediately exits the vehicle through a tailpipe located on the driver’s side beneath the rear bumper. This keeps bicycles and motorcycles from getting sprayed with a fine mist when the car is at speed the pipe points straight down.
The car doesn’t have any tank to store water, but some of it gets collected in the bend of the pipe over the rear axle. In order to get rid of this excess water, a small “H2O” button is given to the left of the steering wheel. Once you press the button it activates an air compressor that throws out excess water from the pipe — allowing the car driver to dump water on the street or driveway instead of their garage.
According to Toyota the amount of water produced per mile is about 0.02 gallons per 1.6 km (or one mile).
Battery Charging Is Faster Than Electric Vehicle
One-quarter tank can fill up to full capacity in about 6.5 minutes from start to finish of the fueling process. That’s definitely more time than it takes at a regular petrol fueling station but it’s faster than supercharging for an electric vehicle.
New Toyota Mirai Model Uses a Lithium-ion Battery
Instead of the nickel-metal hydride unit used in the 2016 model, the all-new Toyota Mirai 2021 model uses a lithium-ion high-voltage battery. Though the latter is smaller in size, it is more energetic, gives a higher output and an improved environmental performance.
The lithium-ion battery uses 84 cells; it has a 4.0 AH capacity (the previous model had a 6.5 AH capacity). The weight was also reduced from 46.9kg to 44.6kg and the output improved from 25.5kW x 10 seconds to 31.5kW x 10 seconds.
Toyota Mirai Cleans the Air As You Drive
The environmental benefits of driving a fuel cell-powered Mirai are not just limited to zero emissions, they go beyond negative emissions. Among other facts about Toyota Mirai, the one about the car cleaning the air as it moves is really fascinating.
A catalyst type filter fitted in the car’s air intake draws in air to the vehicle. While the air is supplied to the fuel cell an electric cell fitted on the filter’s fabric element captures microscopic particles including nitrous oxide, Sulphur dioxide and particulates. With the help of the system 90 to 100% of particles in the 0 to 2.5 microns diameter are removed from the air as it passes through the fuel cell system.
Hydrogen Fuel Stations in the UAE
With Hydrogen fuel stations just getting popular in the UAE Al-Futtaim Motors inaugurated UAE’s first hydrogen station in Dubai Festival City in 2017.
This re-fuelling station is part of a fuel cell vehicle pilot programme. Toyota Fuel Cell car owners in Dubai can get fuel for their vehicles from this station.
The country is working towards hydrogen infrastructure. If more hydrogen fuel cell cars are imported in the country or manufactured within the UAE, naturally, hydrogen refuelling stations will also need to be developed.
The pilot programme will test the utility of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell technology on the roads of the country.
Those were all the interesting facts about Toyota Mirai FCEVs. Besides, if you are interested in buying one of the auto manufacturer’s models, take a look at these used Toyota cars for sale in the UAE.
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