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Toyota Mirai breaks distance world record for a hydrogen car

 

A world record has been set in the US by the Toyota Mirai, setting a new long-distance mark of 1360km on just a single tank of hydrogen


Toyota has broken the world record for the longest distance driven by a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle without refuelling. 

On a round trip throughout Southern California, the 2022 Toyota Mirai travelled a total distance of 1360km (845 miles), which is the equivalent of driving from Sydney to Adelaide on a single tank of fuel. 

Filling the car with hydrogen took just five minutes for the two day trip, with professional hypermiler Wayne Gerdes behind the wheel. 

Toyota boss Mirai record
Bob Carter, executive vice president of Toyota North America, with the record.

The Mirai used a full tank (5.65kg) of hydrogen over the entire journey – a route that passed a total of 12 hydrogen filling stations, none of which were needed. 

The Mirai emitted zero CO2 whereas a standard internal combustion engine would’ve emitted around 664 pounds of CO2 over the same distance. 

Michael Empric, a Guinness World Record judge, was present for the Mirai’s return and awarded the team with an official certificate. 

Toyota Mirai world record
Michael Empric evaluates the Mirai before giving the record certificate.

“As a Guinness World Records adjudicator for 10 years, I’ve had the opportunity to witness incredible attempts, including several distance-related feats.

“The Toyota Mirai’s journey without the need to refuel showcases the power of fuel-cell electric technology. This technology and the design ingenuity by the team at Toyota led to a history-making moment,” Mr Empric said. 

For those sceptical about the environment in which the car was driven – for example, highway-only driving – the Mirai spent most of its time in peak-hour traffic at temperatures between 65 and 83 degrees fahrenheit (18.3 to 28 degrees celsius).

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