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

The second-generation Mirai will value from 64,000 euros ($77,800) when it goes on sale in Europe subsequent 12 months, under the 82,900 euros Tesla prices in Germany for its similar-sized Mannequin S Lengthy Vary Plus with 100 kilowatt-hour battery.

Toyota is focusing on a 10-fold enhance 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 adjustments comparable to elevated hydrogen gas capability, higher aerodynamics and important reductions within the measurement and weight of all its major elements.

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

The Mirai’s gas 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 street gas, with every technology decreasing the price from the one earlier than.

“It performs an analogous function 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 automotive.

Toyota expects to promote about 1,500 Mirais subsequent 12 months in Europe, rising to round 2,000 a 12 months.
 
Toyota mentioned that it’s going to enhance its gas cell expertise and scale back prices for the third-generation Mirai to the purpose it could see “widespread use.”

Toyota can produce 30,000 items of the gas cell stacks used within the Mirai a 12 months, however the stacks will even be utilized in different automobiles comparable to buses, vans and forklift vans.

Toyota mentioned gas cell automobiles are most fitted for bigger passenger vehicles, heavy-duty automobiles, 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 gas stations is holding again acceptance of gas cell vehicles. There are simply 150 hydrogen stations in Europe, with 88 of these located in Germany.

Some international locations plan to broaden the supply. 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 broaden 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 big 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 provide the automotive a stronger emotional enchantment, making it a automotive that folks will likely be interested in by its appears,” Toyota mentioned in a press release.

The Mirai’s fuel-cell stack is has been moved to beneath the hood from beneath the cabin within the present automotive. 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 automotive at 4975mm (196 inches). It has a extra dynamic stance because of adjustments such a 65 mm peak 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 strong polymer in its building 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 document 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 automotive.

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 obtainable in any respect speeds” however did not provide efficiency figures.