Today, almost all global automakers are actively developing vehicles that run on environmentally friendly fuels. Experts say that in 15-20 years the world will completely switch to this type of transport. While leadership in this business is retained by Toyota. After the release of the famous Primus, the Japanese decided to go further and develop another environmentally friendly clean car-Toyota Mirai with hydrogen engine. In today's article, we will consider all the features of this new product, as well as list all the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen machines.
Characteristic
Toyota Mirai is one of the first sedans Japanese made, which the company decided to mass-produce. Incidentally, the solution to call this model Mirai was quite justified, because in Japanese this word means "Clean Future".
The manufacturer claims that the first serial hydrogen Toyota will differ from its counterparts in a large power reserve, which will be 480 kilometers. This is quite enough for daily operation within the city, and family travel long distances. But as far as long trips until it is possible to make them on such a car. And here the question is not about the reliability of the design (as always, the Japanese made the car with high quality and “for centuries”), but about the lack of the necessary gas stations. But we will talk about this a little later.
It is worth noting that the Mirai is not the world's first hydrogen-powered car. Toyota is developing hybrid models cars since 1997. It was then that the world public saw a hydrogen-powered concept SUV of the FCHV model. However, run it on a large scale mass production The Japanese did not dare. Most often, this jeep could be found in government agencies and organizations that were testing this type of transport. By the way, combines BMW and Toyota. The Germans signed a contract with Japanese engineers and by 2020 they plan to create a new environmentally friendly bmw sedan Hydrogen 7 series.
Pros of a hydrogen car
Let's start with the benefits. To begin with, a hydrogen-powered engine does not emit any pollutants, unlike diesel and gasoline. It is worth noting the low cost of operating this type of transport. The fuel itself (hydrogen) can be produced on both small and large scales. This will significantly stabilize the situation with constantly changing fuel prices and distribute it more rationally in the world.
What are the disadvantages of a hydrogen fuel engine?
Now let's talk about the disadvantages. The main disadvantage of this type of transport is that the hydrogen engine (including Toyota FCV) is more explosive than classic diesel and gasoline counterparts. This is due to the special chemical composition of hydrogen. By the way, in addition to explosiveness, it is highly volatile. This characteristic greatly complicates the transportation and refueling of vehicles with hydrogen. Experts also say that the service similar installation will be more costly than, for example, repair diesel internal combustion engine(due to the small number of employees who know a lot about this area). And, of course, the lack of hydrogen filling stations. There are only a few of them in the world, therefore it is very difficult to use such cars now (especially since such a car can be refueled only with the help of special equipment).
Supply issues
The main problem with hydrogen cars is the lack of gas stations where they could be filled. That is why electric cars are more relevant to the world, as they are charged from an ordinary outlet and even on the go, if there is solar battery. But the production of hydrogen stations is already gaining momentum. It is already known about plans to build 20 such gas stations in California. If sales continue to grow, the number of gas stations will double. By the way, this state was chosen for a reason - it is in California that sales of hydrogen-powered Toyotas will begin. But we'll talk about sales at the end of the article, but for now let's look at the exterior of the novelty.
Design
The appearance of the new Toyota Mirai is very impressive. A massive aggressive “front end” with a harsh wide bumper and slanting headlights immediately catches your eye. The radiator grill is perhaps the smallest and most insignificant element in the exterior.
But even on such a small piece of plastic, the Japanese managed to place their company logo made in chrome style. The car has a good glass area. This is especially true for the windshield. The driver will not feel dead zones”, since all the events around are now visible at a glance. The body has both angular and smooth, aerodynamic features. All this makes the appearance of the sedan very fresh, modern and unique.
Interior
The inside of the car is like a part spaceship- a lot of buttons, screens, sensors and all sorts of other stuff. Interestingly, the Japanese did not dare to spend money on the development of two interior layout options - for the European and for the domestic market. They solved the problem with the rearrangement of the steering wheel very simply by placing all the important information devices in the middle of the torpedo.
The panel itself is placed right next to windshield and stretched across its entire width. Further from it is a massive on-board computer, which has a built-in navigator feature. Below it, there is another display. And they are separated by two wide air ducts. The same ones are duplicated on the sides of the mirrors, only with a chrome trim in the corner. The steering wheel is also equipped with remote control buttons. There is no gear knob in the cabin - most likely, a variator or automatic transmission is used. The speakers are located in the doors, as are the power window controls. The steering wheel has a comfortable grip. In general, the layout of the cabin is very ergonomic. And even despite the mass of buttons (especially since half of them are touch-sensitive), it is not overloaded with unnecessary elements and seems ascetic to some extent.
Specifications
Toyota has released a car with a hydrogen engine that has a large power reserve. The power plant, according to the manufacturers, will have 153 horsepower, which is quite enough for a car of this class. The Japanese do not talk about other engines, and, most likely, only one modification of the novelty with a 153-horsepower environmentally friendly unit will enter the market. The hydrogen engine (2015 Toyota Mirai) runs on special fuel cells. Inside the latter, a reaction takes place in which hydrogen and oxygen take part. As a result of chemical interaction, powerful energy is generated that feeds the electric motor.
Dynamics and operating costs
The manufacturer says that according to dynamic Toyota specifications with a hydrogen engine is no different from their gasoline counterparts. Acceleration from zero to "hundreds" is estimated at 9 seconds. At the same time, engineers note the low cost of travel.
The price of refueling a tank for 1 kilometer will be only 10 cents. Thus, to drive a car a hundred kilometers, you need to spend only 10 dollars. And you can fill up your car in just 5 minutes.
How does a hydrogen engine work?
Surely each of us thought about the principle of operation of this unit. Well, let's take a look at how a hydrogen engine actually works.
The main driving force of these machines is an electrochemical generator (some Japanese call it FC Stack. Inside electrochemical generator a reaction takes place, as a result of which hydrogen is oxidized. It is during this period that the necessary energy is generated, which is then redirected to a compact battery. The latter performs the function of powering the electric motor, which drives the machine. In what form does a hydrogen engine produce waste? Toyota Mirai is called environmentally friendly for a reason. clean car, since it is not poisonous gases that come out of it, but ordinary water.
All this is very good, but there is a force hindering the development of this type of transport. The main problem is that the processes for making fuel for hydrogen cars on this moment underdeveloped and require large financial outlays. Moreover, when creating hydrogen, components such as coal and methane are involved. They pollute the atmosphere very much, and therefore there is no point in using such engines for the sake of "preserving the environment". Of course, there is no waste from the combustion of this fuel (clean water), but in order to prepare it, you need to significantly spoil the atmosphere with dirty emissions. Therefore, more and more specialists are looking for a replacement for the current internal combustion engine in solar panels.
Incidentally, hydrogen is not a unique type of fuel that can only be used in one type of engine. Studies have shown that this product is quite realistic to use on classic motors With internal combustion. However, after such a reaction, there are consequences. The fact is that hydrogen, when burned in an internal combustion engine, releases only 1/3 of the energy that it would produce in a specialized unit. True, the engineers managed to correct this shortcoming. Thanks to the modified ignition system, the efficiency of such engines does not decrease, but, on the contrary, increases by almost 1.5 times from the usual one, which makes the operation of this fuel more favorable and reasonable from an environmental and financial point of view.
But still, troubles were noticed not only in the field of efficiency. And if the engineers managed to increase the efficiency by improving the ignition system, then with such problems as heat combustion in the chamber, burnout of pistons and valves, they are unable to cope. By the way, at long work hydrogen is able to react with other components of the motor, including lubricant. And without it, the engine wears out very quickly. In addition, hydrogen, due to its volatility, can penetrate into and ignite there. Concerning rotary internal combustion engines, due to their simple design and large distance between the collectors, they are more favorable for using such fuel as the main one. On this question, how the hydrogen engine works, can be considered closed.
About cost
According to the manufacturer, the start of sales of Toyota Mirai cars will take place in the spring of 2015. At first, the novelty will be available only on the domestic market, and in the summer it will appear on the European and American markets. The starting price of a hydrogen-powered Toyota is $57,500. In addition, the company offers to purchase this car on credit with a monthly payment of 500 US dollars. The bonus will be the opportunity free refueling car for a year at gas stations in California.
So far, the Japanese Toyota has no competitors among hydrogen cars. At least that will be the case until 2016. The fact is that in March 2016 a new hydrogen Honda car FCV. But we won’t predict how popular it will be, but for now we’ll wait for the start of sales of the new Toyota Mirai.
Conclusion
So, we found out why it is so special and how the hydrogen engine works. Toyota is one of the first automakers to seriously consider launching mass production its "environmentally friendly product". True, until the problem with gas stations and a cheaper way is solved, the company is unlikely to have great success in the sale of such cars.
Toyota introduced a new serial model Mirai. The interesting thing is that the car runs on hydrogen instead of gasoline, or diesel fuel. Consider the characteristics, price and photo of the car.
Mirai means "future" in Japanese, and it's true that it's not every day that you see a car that runs on hydrogen instead of gasoline and can still travel quite a distance. The sedan itself is not very familiar in terms of shape and interior compared to other models.
Toyota Mirai outside
At first glance, it is difficult to understand whether this is a prototype of a new model, or stock car, but when you get closer and start looking around, you understand that the car is serial and radically different from other sedans. The Mirai show took place last year in Los Angeles, but will not go into mass production until next year.
What configuration will be divided into new Mirai, the manufacturer Toyota does not specify, most likely that this will be one configuration, which can differ maximum in internal filling, and then at first there can only be one filling, since the model is completely fresh.
At the front, the Mirai grille is large and open to better cooling engine. The side parts of the lattice are also unusual large sizes which immediately distinguishes the car from others. In the Mirai side openings, which occupy almost the entire height front bumper, built-in LED daytime running lights, they also serve as fog lights in bad weather.
Above the Mirai bumper are located LED headlights elongated shape, it is they who separate the lower and upper parts of the car. Standing in front and looking at the Toyota Mirai, you can see that the part above the headlights is narrower, and the part of the car under the headlights is wider.
A small grille was placed between the headlights, it is more decorative than intended for good cooling. In the middle of the grille is the standard Toyota emblem.
The Mirai's hood is curved and sits between the front fenders, rather than resting on top of the fenders as usual on other Toyota models. The manufacturer is said to have improved aerodynamics thanks to this hood, but many still believe that this is not so.
On the side, the front fender has no habitual forms, repeating the contours of the headlights from the side to the rear-view mirrors, which the designers placed on the door, and not near the pillar, like most Toyotas. As the manufacturer assures, the mirrors in Mirai will be heated, turn signal and electric drive for adjustment.
Side molds Toyota body Mirai says that designers and engineers tried to improve aerodynamics to the maximum, as the chiselled features of the aerodynamic body are visible on the doors, wings and roof. On the doors there are handles with a touch sensor for opening the doors, the door closers are also included in the kit, which is very convenient and easy to open or close the doors.
The rear of the Mirai is unlike anything else in existence. Toyota models. Large rear lights, which stretched from the bottom of the rear fender to the top of the trunk lid. Stop repeater, stretched along the trunk lid above the lights.
The rear bumper, on top, repeats the shape of the trunk lid and stops, the lower part is curved and divided into two parts by a stop follower. Under the bumper, there is no recess for the muffler or the muffler itself, and this is normal for Mirai, since it is based on a hydrogen engine, which instead of gasoline is refueled with hydrogen and the result of the exhaust (engine operation) is not CO2, but water vapor. The roof of the Toyota Mirai is also made aerodynamic, with a shark fin antenna mounted on the back of the roof.
to standard Toyota package Mirai alloy 17 will be installed? disks. On the rear left wing, engineers placed a filling port for hydrogen. By the way, Mirai can be refueled only at specialized gas stations, not at home.
The dimensions of the body of the Toyota Mirai are not to say that they are small and are:
- length is 4870 mm;
- width 1810 mm;
- height 1535 mm;
- wheelbase Mirai is 2780 mm;
- clearance Mirai - 130 mm.
- Blue metallic;
- Crystal white;
- Silver;
- Black.
The Mirai has a minimum turning radius of 5.7 m. The weight of the vehicle is 1850 kg.
Salon Toyota Mirai
The interior of the unusual Mirai also surprises with a lot of functional buttons on the front panel, beautiful design and multifunctionality.
Sitting in the driver's seat, the first thing that catches your eye is a large LCD touch screen in the middle, which will display images from the rear view camera, navigation maps or other Mirai functions.
Under the display there is an engine start / stop button, two air ducts and an emergency stop button. A little lower is the climate control panel, audio control buttons, heated seat buttons, mirrors and other auxiliary systems. Also located under the display gearshift lever. In all Mirai cars box will be automatic.
A little unusual and also not very convenient is the Mirai instrument panel. It was placed not above the steering wheel, as manufacturers often and habitually do, but in the middle of the console, above the LCD display. The long display shows complete information about the car, speed, engine status, hydrogen level in the tanks and more. necessary information while driving.
To the right of the middle of the console, there is a compartment familiar to everyone for storing a variety of small things, on the left steering wheel. Not without a heated steering wheel and control buttons on the steering wheel. The engineers tried to bring the control to the steering wheel to the maximum so that it was possible to control the Mirai in a couple of movements.
The interior of the Toyota Mirai contains many angles and aircraft-like details that some buyers may find uncomfortable and awkward. Salon upholstered in leather. Doors and front panel are also sheathed with leather inserts. The seats themselves are made in a sporty style, which is very convenient when traveling on long distance. The headrests on the seats are also comfortable and easily adjustable for any passenger. The rear seats of the Mirai are just as comfortable and designed for only two passengers, as they are separated in the middle by an armrest that cannot be folded down.
The interior will be available in black and white color scheme. Unlike black, white interior will not be completely white color, only in the most important and visible places.
Toyota Mirai Safety
As already known, the manufacturer Toyota always monitors the safety of drivers and passengers. Mirai is no exception to this series. As expected, the standard set includes seat belts and airbags. Auxiliary systems steel parking sensors, rear view camera. More interesting was the front collision avoidance system, the radar detector was located behind the front grill near the Toyota emblem. Thanks to this system, at low speed, Mirai will stop itself and thus prevent an accident.
No less interesting is the blind zone system, which tells the driver by flashing the indicator on the rear-view mirror that another car or obstacle is driving in the blind zone near the car.
In general, Mirai is designed more for a relaxed driving and for smooth roads, according to the manufacturer, the car is more for the city and asphalt roads than driving on a dirt road or participating in races.
Toyota Mirai 2016: specifications
As you already understood, the main indicator of Mirai is a hydrogen engine, it is not every day that you can meet a car that runs on hydrogen instead of gasoline. But also not everywhere there are gas stations for such engines, which becomes extremely inconvenient for the owners of such a car.
We have already mentioned that the entire model Toyota series Mirai will be completed automatic transmission with front wheel drive. Under the hood is a hydrogen engine that converts hydrogen into energy and allows you to drive about 500 km on one gas station. This is the main thing that distinguishes Mirai from electric cars that can travel a little more than 100 km on a single charge.
As for refueling, it is up to 5 minutes; in electric vehicles, refueling often takes from a couple of hours to the whole night. The power of the hydrogen engine is 154 hp, torque 335 Nm. Thus, acceleration of Toyota Mirai from 0 to 100 km/h is 9 seconds.
According to the manufacturer, the average hydrogen consumption is 100 ml per 1.61 km. Tanks for hydrogen, and there are two of them in cars, were located in the area rear wheels. They are produced only Toyota plant under strict quality control. The special structure of the tank with several layers of polymer material and carbon fiber make the tank durable and efficient in absorbing energy in case of deformation or impact. Each cylinder can hold about 60 and 62.4 liters. hydrogen.
To shift the center of gravity, all heavy parts were installed at the bottom of the Toyota Mirai. An additional battery is installed behind the rear seats, since pressing the gas, hydrogen does not immediately begin to generate energy, and thanks to this battery, the delay between generation and start has been removed.
The main competitor will be the Honda FCV, which is scheduled to start production in March 2016.
The principle of operation of the hydrogen engine
The principle of operation of the engine is not familiar to all other Toyota models. Hydrogen is taken in the form of fuel in a gas state, reacting with oxygen (taken from atmospheric air), water vapor and electrons are formed, which in turn are activated up to 650 volts and turn into power, helping to start the running mechanism.
The hydrogen then passes through a platinum-coated membrane (which is where the car's price comes from), and it separates the electrons from the protons. The latter, in turn, combine with oxygen to form water. A small amount of water is discharged as exhaust gases; for this, a waste water discharge button is provided in the cabin. Through a hole in the bottom of the Mirai, water is poured onto the roadway.
Light in the house
An interesting implementation by Toyota was the Power take off System, converting the car to not only drive without using gasoline or diesel, but also use the Mirai as a generator to generate electricity for the home.
By opening a special hole in the trunk, a socket in the form of a socket will be available to connect the electrical network at home with the car. The manufacturer provides a special adapter and cable to connect the car and the electrical network at home. From such a charge, Toyota Mirai is able to provide an average house with full tanks of hydrogen for a week. Although the company does not provide any actual and recorded data on this matter, saying only that this is with the calculation of a typical American home.
World renowned manufacturer hybrid cars, expects to revolutionize the automotive market in 2016 by introducing new car, running on hydrogen, and having a zero level harmful substances in the exhaust. So Toyota recently showed the Mirai model. Our online publication decided to find out in more detail what kind of car it would be and what kind of car it uses.
Some experts believe that hydrogen is after the oil reserves on earth begin to decline. That's why Japanese company decided to create new model, which runs entirely on hydrogen and is ready to go into serial production in 2016. Of course, this is not the first hydrogen vehicle offered by automakers. But Toyota is ambitiously saying it expects to be the first manufacturer in the world to mass-produce and sell hydrogen-powered car models to the public. Before we know the details about the 2016 Toyota Mirai, let's find out ?
As a rule, there are two cylinders in a hydrogen vehicle, into which hydrogen is pumped in compressed form in gaseous form. Hydrogen then passes through special system fuel supply, where oxygen is added to hydrogen. As a result of a chemical reaction, electricity is generated, which drives the wheels of the car.
It is very similar to an electric car in which the traction is provided by an electric motor. . In a hydrogen car, the electric power plant generating torque is powered by hydrogen.
By the way, if you think that the machines will not be powerful, then this is not so. For example, if electricity was cut off in your country house, by connecting an electric cable to a hydrogen car, you will be able to use all electrical appliances, the whole week.
Are you curious about the sound of the hydrogen-powered 2016 Toyota Mirai and some specifications then read on for our review.
Specification
According to Toyota, the Mirai model can travel up to 480 kilometers on one full tank of hydrogen. It is noteworthy that in order to refuel to a full tank, it takes only five minutes. This excellent advantage compared to other zero-emission vehicles (EVs). Eg, electric model The Volkswagen e-Golf has a range of only 130 kilometers on a fully charged battery, when as for. Even the Tesla S, which has a range of 320 km, charges in 20 minutes and then if you use a special powerful charger, which is sold as an additional option for a lot of money.
Toyota Mirai also has advantages over competitors. So Hydrogen 2015 Hyundai Tucson The FCV has a maximum range on one full tank of hydrogen of only 420 kilometers. The Honda FCX Clarity can only go 385 kilometers on a full tank of hydrogen.
Under the hood of the Mirai, an electric motor is installed, with a capacity of 153 hp. and a maximum torque of 335 Nm. This power unit can disperse weighing 1.8 tons from 0-100 km / h in just 9 seconds. This engine is powered by electricity, which is generated as a result of a chemical reaction of hydrogen.
Price
How much will this car cost in Russia (if it will be presented at all on Russian market) is not known. Most likely, Toyota will refuse to sell this model in the Russian Federation, since in our country there is no infrastructure for refueling a car with hydrogen. In the US, for example, Toyota will not only sell the new model, but will also rent out cars. The price per month will be $500. After 36 months of the lease, the car will become your property. For those who do not want to rent a car, they will have to part with 59,000 US dollars.
Some states have regional government programs to encourage the purchase of vehicles with alternative fuel sources. For example, in California hydrogen machine will cost only 45,000 dollars. The state will pay the difference.
Refueling
Now that you know how much this innovative car will cost, naturally many of you are wondering how much it will cost to fill this car with hydrogen? Not at all in many countries. Including in the USA. The fact is that manufacturers of hydrogen cars, in order to increase the demand for such cars, must develop infrastructure, which is very scarce even in developed countries. That is why Toyota plans to build 46 hydrogen filling stations in California alone by 2016. It is planned that within 3 years refueling will be free. There are currently only 13 gas stations of this kind in California.
How soon can you buy a Toyota Mirai?
It is planned that by the end of 2015, 300 vehicles will arrive in the United States, as the lineup 2016. By the end of 2016, another 3,000 pieces will arrive in America. hydrogen cars.
Support
Toyota knows what it's like to start selling something unusual and something new. There is already experience when the company brought to the market. So in those countries where the novelty will be officially sold, round-the-clock support of the concierge service will be launched, by calling where you can ask any questions related to the operation of the car. So you can find out where you can refuel vehicle, call emergency assistance and so on.
Toyota gives this model a 2-year factory warranty up to 20,000 km/year. It is noteworthy that a guarantee of 8 years or 160,000 km of run is installed on the fuel cells of the car.
What sound will the new car have?
Most likely, the sound of a hydrogen car will be exactly the same as that of an all-electric car. True, it is quite possible that the Japanese will equip the car with a system of sound imitation of the sound of the engine. Recall that similar system uses BMW company in some of their models. For example, the sound of the motor is amplified with the help of special equipment and through acoustic system the machine is transmitted inside the cabin.
Sales of the Toyota Mirai ("future" in Jap.), the world's first mass-produced hydrogen-powered car. The price of the novelty is 7,236,000 yen (approximately $61,100), while the Japanese government subsidizes the purchase by 2.02 million yen (a little over $17,000). According to the company's plans, sales were supposed to begin in the spring of 2015, however, as the number of pre-orders exceeded expectations, it was decided to postpone the date to an early date.
Mirai is a four-door sedan powered by an electric motor with a capacity of 151 hp. s., which receives energy from a converter, the initial substance of which is hydrogen, stored in two carbon fiber tanks under a pressure of 70 MPa. The oxygen required for the chemical reaction comes directly from the car's radiator while it is in motion. One refueling is enough for a run of 480 km, and the filling itself with 5 kilograms (170 liters) of hydrogen lasts about 3 minutes. Max speed Mirai is 111 miles per hour (about 180 km / h), while it takes 9 seconds to accelerate to 100 km / h.
Under the hood of the Mirai
In Europe, the car will be officially presented at the Geneva Motor Show, and in America, sales will begin at the end of next year at a price of $ 57,500 (which is comparable to the brainchild of Elon Musk - Tesla electric cars) only in California and only in the amount of 200 copies - at the moment hydrogen filling stations there are none in the United States, and Toyota, together with Air Liquide, plans to build 12 of them by the start of sales - the price of one station is $7.2 million. As expected, the final price for a car, taking into account all discounts and government subsidies, may be $45,000.
Inside Mirai
In addition to its direct purpose, the car's power plant can also serve as a kind of home power plant for the home: engineers claim that with the help of the Power take off System they developed, the average Japanese house can be powered by generated electricity for 5 days. It is interesting to note that the idea of this non-standard use of the car arose because of the significant risks of disasters in Japan, when the tsunami leaves entire cities without electricity.
Regardless of whether Elon Musk has any reason to worry, TASS, referring to former Saudi Arabian minister Ahmed Zaki Yamani, notes that "the age of oil is coming to an end":
As a result of the spread alternative sources demand for oil will decline. In the field of electricity generation, it is already being replaced by nuclear and wind turbines. Oil is still needed for transport, but demand there is falling due to the growing spread of hybrid and electric vehicles. The oil era will finally end if it is possible to practically introduce hydrogen fuel and produce it cheaply.”
says the expert.
A liter of diesel for one euro? In Hamburg? Fantastic! I remember very well that a year ago, when I was traveling by car in Europe, diesel fuel was noticeably more expensive. But here's another gas station - and also euros per liter ... It's just that in Germany, unlike in Russia, the prices for petroleum products are quickly rewritten following the price of oil, not only upwards, but also downwards.
It’s even a pity that I don’t need either diesel or gasoline today - after all, I’m driving the world’s first mass-produced fuel cell car around the outskirts of Hamburg. Fueling the futuristic sedan requires only hydrogen.
UNDER PRESSURE
Everything happens exactly like at a regular gas station. I pay through the terminal required amount fuel, connect the plug to filler neck, and within three to four minutes, hydrogen fills the fuel tanks. These are two balloons. high pressure(700 bar) made of carbon fiber with a three-layer structure: 60-liter is located under the rear seat, and the other (62.4 l) is closer to rear suspension. The total capacity is five kilograms of hydrogen.
For the whole of Germany - only nineteen public hydrogen stations. According to the manufacturer, Toyota Mirai on full tanks can drive 500 km, and the test route is laid out so that I won’t get up in the field; but it is obvious that the current hydrogen infrastructure is not yet able to provide a comfortable life for the owners of hydrogen vehicles.
The situation will change by 2023, when the number of hydrogen filling stations in Germany will exceed four hundred. The cost of the project is over 400 million euros, one million for each filling station. An impressive part of the funds is invested Toyota, BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler.
In Japan, about eighty hydrogen filling stations will be operating by the end of the year, also with the participation of automakers. In the USA - about thirty.
I'm moving from theory to practice. I turn on (how unusual to use this term!) the car with the Start/Stop button, reset the trip computer, use the small joystick on the console to select drive mode and move absolutely silently.
When refueling “to full”, exactly a kilogram of hydrogen got into the tanks of my car. Before refueling, the trip computer promised 260 km of travel. After - 330 km. But I am sure that I can drive all five hundred!
KILO OF HOPE
Toyota Mirai is essentially an electric car. Electricity is generated in the block fuel cells in the interaction of hydrogen and oxygen. Electricity passes through the inverter fuel cell Boost Converter), where it is converted from DC to AC, and the voltage is increased to 650 V.
The reaction occurs without a combustion process, and the "exhaust" is harmless water vapor.
Traction synchronous motor drives the front wheels. Powered not only by fuel cells, but also by a rear-mounted nickel-metal hydride battery with a maximum output of 21 kW: it is energized during regenerative braking and delivers energy during sharp accelerations. The maximum output of the electric motor is 113 kW (154 hp).
Mirai weighs 1850 kg, and one and a half hundred "horses" did not promise anything interesting. But the hydrogen car turned out to be by no means toothless! Torque of 355 Nm, available throughout the entire rev range, ensures confident acceleration. And the acceleration in Power mode (the secondary battery is forcibly activated) is such that you are pressed into the seat - you involuntarily believe in the declared 9.6 seconds of acceleration to hundreds. On the unlimited autobahn, I effortlessly dispersed the Mirai to 180 km / h!
Thanks to the low center of gravity, the handling of a large sedan is very reliable. But there is no courage. You need to ride calmly, enjoying the smoothness and silence. Only with intense acceleration, a barely perceptible trolleybus rumble breaks into the cabin.
The two-tone interior is pleasing to the eye and comfortable. Despite the exotic architecture of the panel, I do not experience any inconvenience - ergonomics are in order, and among the equipment there is even heated rear seats and a steering wheel. Upset only shamelessly slowing down multimedia system with touch buttons.
On the autobahn, I drove literally five kilometers. I drove off to a secondary road, turned on the Eco mode and drove extremely measuredly. Now imagine my surprise when, after 65 km, the trip computer again began to show a “pre-refueling” range: 260 km. It turns out that, despite my efforts, only the 70 km promised by electronics could last on a kilogram of hydrogen - and in real conditions, the mileage on full tanks will be about 350 km. Not five hundred.
WAITING FOR DISCOUNTS
Until now, I have not mentioned the main thing: for this very kilogram of hydrogen at the Hamburg gas station, I paid 9.5 euros. Even if you cross out the autobahn and assume that at a pensioner pace I would drive about a hundred kilometers on this kilogram, it turns out to be indecently expensive. diesel car similar power in a similar driving mode would require no more than five liters of diesel fuel, which would cost me five euros - half the price!
And it turns out that the only reason in favor of buying Mirai is concern for the environment. Yes, and that is highly doubtful. After all, when obtaining hydrogen from natural gas using the steam reforming reaction (this is how about half of all hydrogen is produced), carbon dioxide is released as a by-product. And the production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water is a more expensive and energy-intensive process.
The final nail in the coffin of common sense is the price. IN Germany Toyota Mirai will cost at least 66 thousand euros! At the current cost of hydrogen fuel, I see no reason to buy this futuristic hydrogen car. Of course, electric vehicles were also skeptical at first, but now Tesla has won the hearts and minds of people around the world. But the popular one did not appear immediately, besides, only moneybags can afford it.
If one day we still drive into a bright hydrogen future, it will not be in a sedan with the beautiful name Mirai, but in a more affordable and efficient car. But the achievement of the Japanese, who launched the world's first hydrogen car into a series, deserves applause. And, as is customary on special occasions, I give them a standing ovation.
Story
The French chemist and naturalist Antoine Laurent Lavoisier is recognized as the official discoverer of the chemical element that occupies the first cell of the periodic table. In 1783, he established that hydrogen is part of water. The first piston engine powered by hydrogen was built by Francois-Swiss inventor François Isaac de Rivaz in 1807. He obtained hydrogen by electrolysis of water. And the exhaust gases were a mixture of water vapor and nitrogen.
Competitor
At the end of October Honda showed small-scale hydrogen sedan Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. The principle of operation is exactly the same as that of Mirai. Power power plant is about 100 kW (135 hp), the declared power reserve is 700 km, the refueling time does not exceed three minutes. The start of production is scheduled for spring 2016.
