The 2021 Toyota Mirai has set the Guinness World Record for the longest distance by a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle without refuelling. The vehicle finished an 845-mile road trip in Southern California.
“We are proud to be leaders of this exciting technology, which is just one of a growing lineup of zero-emission vehicles in our portfolio,” says Bob Carter, executive vice president, Toyota Motor North America.
According to Toyota, their official record during the journey was closely monitored by Guinness World Records. The vehicle set off on Monday, August 23, 2021, at the Toyota Technical Centre (TTC) in Gardena, California, driven by Wayne Gerdes and Bob Winger, and travelled 473 miles with only two driver swaps on the first day. On the next day, the Mirai pushed through more than 372 miles until no more hydrogen was left in the tank.
The company claims that during the two-day trip, the Mirai logged an impressive 152 MPGe with water as its only emission. Guinness World Records adjudicator, Michael Empric, witnessed the whole process and validated the Mirai’s tank with a seal at both the beginning and end of the journey.
“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,” comments Empric.
Toyota says that by the end of the trip, the Mirai consumed a total of 5.65 kg of hydrogen and produced no CO2 emissions. A traditional ICE vehicle would have emitted about 664 lbs. of CO2 in the same situation.
Toyota did not, however, that the landmark result owed a lot to driver skill that “optimized the Mirai’s vehicle performance.” According to the company, some of the fuel-efficient driving tips on maintenance and preparation, as well as driving techniques are practical to “any driver.”
