Should things go according to plan, the environmentally friendly vehicle will hit roads in the US, sometime in 2016

Nov 17, 2014 21:03 GMT  ·  By

This past Sunday, Akio Toyoda, president and member of the board of Toyota Motor, announced to the world that the company's new fuel cell car would from then on be known as Mirai. The announcement was made in a video, available below.

In a statement issued this November 17, the automotive manufacturer details that this name was chosen because, in Japanese, it translates as “future.” Thus, the moniker is Toyota's way of saying that this sedan is one-of-a-kind ride and a turning point for the car-making industry.

“Akio Toyoda has seen the future, and it’s called 'Mirai,'” the Toyota Motor Corporation writes. “Mirai, which means 'future' in Japanese, represents a turning point for the automotive industry,” it further stresses.

What's so special about this car?

The Japanese automotive manufacturer explains that, seeing how it is a fuel cell sedan, its Mirai produces no greenhouse gas emissions whatsoever. On the contrary, the only thing that it coughs out when up and running is water vapor.

True, the world is no stranger to fuel cell vehicles. Still, Toyota argues that its Mirai is by far one of the coolest fuel cell cars ever to come out of a factory line. Thus, it says that the sedan can cover 300 miles (483 kilometers) on a single tank and refuel in under 5 minutes.

As detailed by President Akio Toyoda, the fuel cell that the Mirai is fitted with produces enough electricity to power an entire house for about a week. What's more, the President maintains that, high-tech equipment aside, the sedan is very easy to maneuver and even fun to drive.

“This is a car that lets you have it all with no compromises. For us, this isn’t just another car. This is an opportunity – an opportunity to really make a difference. And making a difference is what Toyota is all about,” Akio Toyoda said in a statement.

When will the Mirai hit roads?

It is understood that the Mirai will be introduced in five northeastern US states sometime in 2016. To make sure that the project will be a successful one, the Toyota Motor Corporation will see to it that several hydrogen stations are installed in targeted regions in the months to come.

Thus, the automotive manufacturer and Air Liquide expect that, by the time the fuel cell sedan hits roads in this part of the country, as many as 12 hydrogen stations will be up and running in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

It is to be expected that, should folks in the region take a liking to the Mirai, several other hydrogen stations will be installed in this corner in the US in the years to come. The move will surely help reduce dangerous emissions resulting from traffic.

Commenting on this collaboration with Air Liquide, Jim Lentz with the Toyota Motor Corporation wished to stress that, “Toyota’s vision of a hydrogen society is not just about building a great car, but ensuring accessible, reliable and convenient refueling for our customers.”

Toyota's new fuel cell vehicle is dubbed Mirai (5 Images)

Toyota is getting ready to launch a new fuel cell vehicle
The car is dubbed MiraiIt can cover 300 miles (483 kilometers) on a single tank
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