Currently the second generation of the Toyota Mirai is marketed, which presents significant changes in the design, platform and capacity of the hydrogen tanks. Because the Mirai works like an electric vehicle but it does so thanks to a fuel cell system (FCEV) that uses the most present element in the universe: hydrogen. We have talked at length about the possibilities of this alternative to fossil fuels and plug-in electrification, answering the most common doubts and exposing the pros and cons of its implementation. It was presented in 2016 as the first production car with this technology, a commitment by Toyota after more than twenty years of experience in self-charging hybrids. A knowledge that has helped them to make the leap and sign a new Guinness World Record by traveling the longest distance without refueling with a fuel cell electric vehicle with 1,360 kilometers of travel .
The challenge was completed after a single five-minute refueling and was completed by taking a round trip through Southern California (United States). Bob Carter, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), underscored the milestone with ” pride in being the leaders of this exciting technology , which corresponds to just one of the growing range of zero-emission vehicles in our offering.” A day for the history of this propulsion that took place from 23 to 24 August, following the strict rules and documentation procedures that accompany this world records program.
More than 1,000 kilometers
The evolution of the new Toyota Mirai gives it greater performance, at the same time that it resembles its driving to that of any electric. By having more hydrogen storage capacity, and presenting tweaks in the aerodynamic section, the car’s autonomy has been increased 650 kilometers. In addition, they have reduced their refueling time to five minutes, in the case of having a 700-bar hydropower plant.
All these modifications have enabled the Toyota Mirai to complete a 1,360-kilometer journey with Wayne Gerdes at the wheel and Bob Winger as co-driver. They started the adventure of efficiency at the Toyota Technical Center (TTC) in Gardena, California, headquarters of Toyota’s fuel cell development group. The first stop was San Ysidro, south of the capital of the west coast, and then back north, towards Santa Barbara, passing through Santa Monica and Malibu beach, along the mythical and beautiful route of the Pacific coast. That first day involved 761 km , which was completed with another 599 km at rush hour on the San Diego expressway between Los Angeles and Orange Country.
Efficiency and sustainability
As Michael Empric, Guinness World Records adjudicator, stated: “The Toyota Mirai’s journey, without the need for refueling, demonstrates the potential of fuel cell electric technology . This technology and the ingenious design of the Toyota team have created a historic moment . ” The fuel cell is an essential part of this sustainability, but also the driving of Gerdes, a specialist in long distance.
Achieving a total consumption of 5.65 kilograms of hydrogen , which is the equivalent of 64.6 kilometers per liter of fuel , is a matter of experience. Even more so if we take into account that the Mirai got into, at rush hour, in the worst traffic areas of California with temperatures between 18 and 28 degrees, a situation that would suppose about 301 kg of CO2 for a traditional combustion engine.
For this, the drivers followed the guidelines of efficient driving, which is structured under the pillars of: avoiding acceleration and braking , not going fast and minimizing the use of electrical accessories such as air conditioning and ABS. Toyota also wanted to comment on the hours leading up to the record attempt, in which they checked the vehicle’s overhaul, its block, wheel alignment and tire pressure. In addition, the Mirai mode selector, which has an ECO mode , optimizes these decisions to the maximum, reducing the intervention of the air conditioning.
