Californian drove a hydrogen-powered car for the first time and revealed its true range
- US content creator drove a hydrogen-powered car for the first time
- The 2021 Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle
- He revealed the truth behind its range and charging it
Published on Oct 30, 2024 at 5:31 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Oct 30, 2024 at 5:31 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
One US content creator sat behind the wheel of a hydrogen-powered car for the first time – and he revealed the truth behind its range.
The 2021 Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.
As the debate about hydrogen vs. electric vehicles rattles on – the car-reviewing YouTuber decided to weigh in.
His findings might surprise you.
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The hydrogen-powered car’s range
Car reviewer Kyle took to the streets of Pasadena, California in the US for his review.
He explains that the Toyota Mirai’s drivetrain consists of a hydrogen fuel cell stack and electric motor.
The fuel cell stack generates electricity by combining hydrogen from the tanks with oxygen from the air – producing only water as a byproduct.
This electricity powers the electric motor and wheels directly or charges a small battery pack when more power is needed to enhance performance.
Putting the pedal to the metal, Kyle explains that it feels similar to an electric vehicle with instant throttle response and a smooth, quiet ride that may feel underpowered alongside its competitors.
He concludes that the range is approximately 574km (357 miles) for the top-tier model, while the base has a slightly higher range of about 647km (402 miles) per the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s estimates.
Price and charging
Built on the same luxury chassis as the Lexus LS, it’s thought to be worth $67,400.
Limited hydrogen infrastructure in the California area could prove to be an issue, however.
In similar news, this man tried living with a hydrogen fuel cell car and found out the reality of it.
Meanwhile, this owner of both a hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai and EV Tesla Model 3 fills them both up and compares the costs.
Last but not least, this YouTuber took his empty Toyota Mirai to a hydrogen station in California to show the real-time for a full refuel.
London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
