TOYOTA'S FUEL CELL IS RIGHT HERE - AUTOLINE AFTER HOURS 328

EV Channels Review

This episode of Autoline After Hours features Jackie Birdsall, Senior Engineer for the Toyota Mirai, discussing Toyota's pioneering fuel cell vehicle. The conversation highlights the Mirai's advanced hydrogen storage system, capable of holding 10,000 psi and providing a range of approximately 312 miles on a five-minute fill. Birdsall explains the complex, multi-layered construction of the hydrogen tanks, emphasizing their durability and safety, including resistance to .50 caliber rounds. The Mirai's powertrain is detailed as a hybrid system, utilizing a fuel cell to generate electricity on-demand to power an electric motor, with a battery for regenerative braking, drawing parallels to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. The discussion also touches upon the vehicle's real-world testing, consumer feedback, maintenance (including a unique ionic filter change every three years), and the ongoing development of hydrogen infrastructure. While acknowledging the Mirai is a significant step towards zero-emission mobility, the conversation implicitly points to infrastructure as the primary hurdle for widespread adoption.