Toyota Mirai sets hydrogen range record

A Toyota Mirai has covered more than 600 miles on a single tank of fuel, beating the previous long-distance achievements for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. 

The journey, undertaken in France during Paris de l’hydrogène – an exhibition on hydrogen and renewable energies – started in Orly and covered 623 miles of public roads in the Loir-et-Cher and Indre-et-Loire areas, with the distance and fuel consumption certified by an independent authority. 

Green hydrogen was used to fuel the Mirai and overall consumption was measured at 0.55Kg/100KM.  Upon completing the challenge, Toyota says the Mirai was refuelled within five minutes. 

Frank Marotte, CEO of Toyota France, said: “It’s an amazing result that we achieved with the new Mirai. One that embodies the mindset of Toyota’s Start your Impossible mentality of going beyond our own limits. This drives us and we proved it again today.”

The new Mirai is the second-generation fuel cell electric vehicle from Toyota. It promises enhanced driving performance, better fuel efficiency, a 30% greater range and a price tag almost 25% lower than its predecessor. 

Officially, the Mirai has a range of 400 miles per tank of hydrogen. By adopting eco-driving techniques, the team of drivers were able to extend the Mirai’s range by more than 200 miles.

Four drivers completed the journey, including Victorien Erussard, the founder and captain of Energy Observer – a self-sufficient, zero-emission boat that uses a Toyota fuel cell stack.

James Olden, an engineer at Toyota Motor Europe, Maxime le Hir, Mirai product manager and Marie Gadd, PR manager of Toyota France were the other three drivers who completed the drive.