New Toyota Mirai FCEV confirmed for Australia

The second-generation Toyota Mirai has been confirmed for Australian release – to local business and government fleets – in early 2021.

It will be the second hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) to arrive in Australia, where 20 examples of the Hyundai NEXO hydrogen SUV will be deployed by the ACT government in December.

So far neither FCEV has been made available to the public in Australia, where the nation’s first permanent, publicly-available hydrogen refuelling station will soon open in Canberra in conjunction with the official launch of NEXO.

Similarly, first deliveries of the all-new Toyota Mirai are expected to coincide with the commissioning of a solar-powered hydrogen production site and refuelling station at Toyota’s Centre of Excellence, which is based at its former Altona car assembly plant in Melbourne.

At least one other local hydrogen refuelling station has been confirmed to open by mid-2021, south of the Perth CBD in Western Australia.

Like Hyundai, Toyota says it will make 20 examples of the second-generation Mirai, which will be revealed in Japan next month, available to “select business and government fleets from the first quarter of 2021”.

Toyota Australia’s initial allocation of 20 MkII Mirai sedans follows extensive local testing of its predecessor by a wide range of clients including councils and utility companies since 2016, supported by a mobile hydrogen refueller.

Full details of the new Toyota Mirai won’t be announced until next month, but the Japanese car-maker says its redesigned FCEV, which emits only water, will deliver performance and efficiency gains for its fuel-cell system and greater hydrogen capacity (now with three tanks instead of two) to substantially increase driving range.

Wrapped in a sharper body that brings more elegant proportions, the new Mirai will also switch from front-wheel drive to rear-drive and increase seating capacity from four to five. It will be available to the public in the US, Europe and Japan in at least two trim levels, priced from around $80,000.

The original Toyota Mirai was powered by a modest 113kW/335Nm electric motor and its 60-litre and 64-litre fuel tanks took about four minutes to fill, providing a claimed range of 650km.

Toyota is suggesting the new mid-size sedan, which will still weigh around 1900kg but offer ideal 50/50 front/rear weight distribution, will improve both its power output and range by 30 per cent, which should result in figures of about 147kW and 850km.

Meantime, Hyundai’s NEXO FCEV SUV is powered by a 120kW/395Nm electric motor that offers a (WLTP) range of 666km.

Hyundai says the NEXO – the first hydrogen-powered car certified for sale in Australia – can be refuelled in three to five minutes. Already awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, it’s fitted with the latest autonomous driving capabilities and projected to be priced at around $100,000 for individuals.

Toyota has become synonymous with petrol-electric vehicles, but has so far resisted the introduction of plug-in vehicles in Australia, where its hybrid catchcry continues to be ‘charges while you drive’.

Now it says the introduction of the second-generation Mirai is the next step in achieving local acceptance of FCEVs.

“Toyota is committed to accelerating the popularity and diversity of electrified vehicles that reduce CO2 emissions and air pollution,” said Toyota Australia’s vice-president of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley.

“The best way to demonstrate the long-term viability and environmental benefits of hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric vehicles is to supply cars to local industries and governments that share our vision of a zero-emission future.

“All-new Mirai brings together Toyota’s unrivalled experience with electrified vehicles and our integrated approach to an electric future.

“EV technologies we’ve developed over more than 20 years – including batteries, motors and advanced energy-management software – are fundamental to the production of many types of electrified vehicles, including FCEVs,” he said.

In its press release today, Toyota said its ability to accelerate electrification in Australia depends on the “development of an adequate infrastructure, including EV charge points and hydrogen refuelling”.

In line with its ‘hydrogen future’ strategy, the federal government has signalled its support for the emerging FCEV sector through funding rounds from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

Most recently, the CEFC announced a $300 million investment in hydrogen energy projects that Toyota says are “vital for developing the opportunity that hydrogen economy offers while supporting zero-emission transport”.