Toyota goals to extend acceptance of gasoline cell vehicles by pricing its newest Mirai hydrogen-powered sedan under that of a long-range full-electric automobile.

The second-generation Mirai will price from 64,000 euros ($77,800) when it goes on sale in Europe subsequent yr, under the 82,900 euros Tesla costs in Germany for its similar-sized Mannequin S Lengthy Vary Plus with 100 kilowatt-hour battery.

Toyota is focusing on a 10-fold improve in international gross sales of the Mirai. The automaker restricted European gross sales of the present mannequin to about 800 over its five-year lifespan.

Toyota mentioned the Mirai’s driving vary has been elevated by 30 % to 650 km (404 miles) by modifications corresponding to elevated hydrogen gasoline capability, higher aerodynamics and important reductions within the dimension and weight of all its most important parts.

The Mirai’s vary matches that of the Tesla Mannequin S Lengthy Vary Plus as measured beneath Europe’s WLTP commonplace.

The Mirai’s gasoline tank takes 5 minutes to fill from a hydrogen filling station, far lower than it takes to recharge a big battery.

The Mirai is Toyota’s flagbearer for the advantages of hydrogen as a zero-emissions highway gasoline, with every technology lowering the price from the one earlier than.

“It performs an analogous position to what Prius was doing for hybrid expertise,” Toyota Europe’s powertrain boss, Thiebault Paquet, advised Automotive Information Europe.

The brand new Mirai prices 20 % much less in Europe than the present automobile.

Toyota expects to promote about 1,500 Mirais subsequent yr in Europe, rising to round 2,000 a yr.
 
Toyota mentioned that it’ll enhance its gasoline cell expertise and cut back prices for the third-generation Mirai to the purpose it might see “widespread use.”

Toyota can produce 30,000 models of the gasoline cell stacks used within the Mirai a yr, however the stacks can even be utilized in different autos corresponding to buses, vehicles and forklift vehicles.

Toyota mentioned gasoline cell autos are best suited for bigger passenger vehicles, heavy-duty autos, and public transport whereas battery-electric vehicles are good for shorter commutes and concrete driving, and full and plug-in hybrids are finest fitted to longer distance private journey.

The scarcity of hydrogen gasoline stations is holding again acceptance of gasoline cell vehicles. There are simply 150 hydrogen stations in Europe, with 88 of these located in Germany.

Some international locations plan to develop the provision. For instance, the UK plans to extend the quantity to 22 from 11, whereas Norway and Netherlands every plan to have 20.

“There may be the intention to develop the community and that’s key,” Paquet mentioned.

The Mirai is constructed on Toyota’s GA-L modular platform for luxurious rear-wheel-drive vehicles. The platform underpins vehicles together with the Lexus LS and Toyota Crown.

The Mirai’s design is a large departure from the present Mirai, which was criticized by some business watchers for its appears.

“One of many precept goals for the brand new Mirai has been to offer the automobile a stronger emotional attraction, making it a automobile that individuals will probably be drawn to by its appears,” Toyota mentioned in an announcement.

The Mirai’s fuel-cell stack is has been moved to beneath the hood from beneath the cabin within the present automobile. This has allowed for a extra spacious, five-seat inside with improved legroom for rear seat passengers, Toyota mentioned.

The Mirai is 85 mm longer than the present automobile at 4975mm (196 inches). It has a extra dynamic stance due to modifications such a 65 mm top discount, longer rear overhang, bigger wheels and decrease middle of gravity, Toyota mentioned.

A 3rd excessive strain hydrogen tank has been added to extend the vary, whereas the Mirai’s decrease design offers higher aerodynamics to extend effectivity.

The brand new fuel-cell stack makes use of a stable polymer in its development just like the present stack however is smaller than earlier than with fewer cells. Toyota says it’s 50 % lighter.

Toyota claims it units a report for energy density at 5.4 kilowatts per liter, in comparison with 3.3 kw for the outgoing mannequin.

The Mirai has an 84-cell lithium ion battery that replaces the nickel-metal hydride unit within the present automobile.

The sedan’s energy output has been elevated to 172 hp from 153 hp however nonetheless it lags far behind equal full-electric vehicles. The Mannequin S, for instance, has 535 hp and might speed up from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds.

Toyota mentioned the Mirai has “wonderful response accessible in any respect speeds” however did not provide efficiency figures.