On Wednesday May 26 from the HysetCo hydrogen station in Orly, the Toyota Mirai driven by Victorien Erussard and members of Toyota Motor Europe and Toyota France, traveled 1,003 km.
Compliant in every way with the marketed model, this Mirai thus broke the record for the distance covered by a fuel cell vehicle with a single charge.
The 1,003 kilometers were made on a mainly road trip, south of Paris, in Loir-et-Cher and Indre-et-Loire, in the presence of a bailiff. The average hydrogen consumption for the entire trip was limited to 0.55 g / km. The three tanks of the Mirai can hold 5.6 kg of hydrogen.
The hydrogen used for this record was completely green, zero emissions from its production to its use in the Mirai.
Among the 4 drivers who took turns at the wheel of the Mirai for this record, figure Victorien Erussard, the founder and captain of Energy Observer. Energy Observer, of which Toyota is a partner, is at the origin of the name of the first vessel equipped with the Toyota hydrogen fuel cell, autonomous and zero emission, both advocacy and laboratory of the energy transition.
Now an organization that brings together both expeditions and innovations, Energy Observer presented its brand new exhibition village dedicated to renewable energies and hydrogen in Paris, with the support of the City of Paris. This large-scale event called “The Paris of hydrogen” was held on the Champ-de-Mars from May 20 to 30. On this occasion, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated for the very first time thanks to green hydrogen supplied by the GEH2® electro-hydrogen group developed by the start-up EODev of which Toyota Motor Europe is a shareholder.
James Olden, engineer at Toyota Motor Europe, Maxime Le Hir, Mirai product manager and Marie Gadd, Toyota France product press manager completed the team of drivers who achieved this record.
New Toyota Mirai Demonstrates Efficiency and Ease of Driving
In 2014, Toyota launched the first Mirai on the world markets. This major advance was made possible by Toyota’s unique experience in hybrid technology. This technology is used as the basis for a wide range of electrified powertrains, including fuel cells. Each engine has qualities adapted to different mobility requirements: 100% electric vehicles for compatible uses of recharging; self-charging and rechargeable hybrids for versatile use and over long distances; and full-size hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that travel long distances or are used for utility, industrial or public transport purposes.
With the new Mirai, Toyota has marketed its 2nd generation of fuel cell vehicle. This takes this technology a step further, and offers the customer a more efficient car, with a sleek and dynamic silhouette. The efficiency of the fuel cell system, increased hydrogen storage capacity, and improved aerodynamics help extend the average range in normal driving to 650 kilometers (WLTP Mirai range medium combined cycle) with a full tank of fuel. hydrogen produced in less than 5 minutes in a station compressing hydrogen to 700 bars, an improvement of 30% compared to the first generation Mirai.
If the team of drivers succeeded in covering 1,003 km with a single charge of hydrogen, it is by applying all the precepts of eco-driving.
The New Toyota Mirai and hydrogen at the heart of BEYOND ZERO
With BEYOND ZERO , Toyota formalizes its societal commitment and articulates it around four pillars: electrification, mobility for all, customer experience and the creation of a better society.
The new Toyota Mirai illustrates in the most beautiful way Toyota’s commitment to electrification, the first pillar of BEYOND ZERO. The unique proposition on the market of a 2nd generation hydrogen fuel cell sedan that combines the advantages of electric mobility with unparalleled ease of use, autonomy and rapidity of recharging perfectly demonstrates the Group’s commitment to offering mobility solutions going beyond expectations, beyond zero-emissions.
More broadly, hydrogen as a viable and abundant resource for transporting and storing energy is for Toyota an essential lever in the creation of a better society in harmony with nature, our 4th pillar BEYOND ZERO.
Hydrogen has the potential to provide zero carbon mobility, not only to road vehicles, but also to trains, boats and airplanes, and to generate energy for industry, businesses and homes. Toyota is therefore multiplying initiatives to democratize its use in our daily lives and confirm its relevance: electric generators (EODev), boats (Hynova), Parisian taxis and buses (Hype, RATP experiment), trucks (Hino), entire city supplied exclusively in hydrogen (Woven City), and any other use by providing its fuel cell.
As illustrated by this distance record, which pushes the limits of hydrogen mobility, the range of possibilities for the fuel cell continues to grow and the merits of its use are confirmed.
Statements
Frank Marotte, Chairman and CEO of Toyota France
“It is a fabulous challenge that we have succeeded with with the new Mirai. Internally, it is the Start Your Impossible spirit, surpassing oneself, that drives us and we have demonstrated it again today.
I would like to thank the Toyota France and Toyota Motor Europe teams for their participation, as well as Victorien, with whom we share the same vision and the same ambition. It is by forging powerful partnerships that we will be able to contribute to the advent of a better society, respectful of the environment. With Toyota’s ambition to go “Beyond zero” and allow everyone to take a seat for the future ”
Victorien Erussard, Founder and Captain of Energy Observer
“I am very happy to have taken on this 1,000 km challenge behind the wheel of the all-new Mirai! Toyota is always at the forefront of hydrogen innovation and our collaboration has only grown stronger year after year. As a former offshore racer, I need to take up challenges and I warmly thank Frank Marotte and his teams for taking me on this zero-emission adventure which shows that nothing is impossible and that hydrogen mobility d ‘today is here! »
Key figures for the record
Mileage traveled: 1,003 km
Average hydrogen consumption: 0.55 kg / 100 km
Remaining range on the odometer: 9 km
BEYOND ZERO = Take a seat for the future
Photo credits: Ugo Missana, Quentin Germain
Video credits: Movimox
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