TOYOTA is claiming a new distance record for a zero emission car after tests of its Mirai hydrogen fuel cell achieved 67 miles per ‘gallon’ and an estimated fuel range of 312 miles on a single tank.

Mirai is the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, a four-door saloon claiming performance to compete with traditional internal combustion engines.
It runs on electricity created on demand by hydrogen fuel and oxygen. The only emission produced by this process is water vapour.

Toyota will introduce Mirai in limited numbers in the UK and other selected European markets later this year, following its launch in Japan and, from this summer, California.

Jim Lentz, Toyota North America CEO, announced the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) fuel economy rating for Mirai at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado this week. It confirms that Mirai is the only zero emissions electric vehicle on the market capable of exceeding 300 miles on one fill.

However, its hydrogen fuel cell partner, BMW, also showcased its 5-Series Gran Turismo gas model during a launch at the circuit in Miramas, France, this week claiming similar fuel economy and range.

Lenz said: “Toyota realised in the early 90s that electrification was key to the future of the automobile. Just as Prius introduced hybrid-electric vehicles to millions of customers nearly 20 years ago, Mirai is now poised to usher in a new era of efficient, hydrogen transportation.”