The TOYOTA FCV PLUS is another vehicle that makes its European debut. With this concept, Toyota examines how future hydrogen cars can contribute to society.

Furthermore, a large section of the stand will be reserved for a full Toyota C-HR display. This C-segment crossover makes its full public debut at Paris, after the exterior design was revealed at this year’s Geneva motor show.

And finally, the Toyota booth will celebrate the launch of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the entity that now unites all Toyota motorsports activities under one umbrella, with the aim of placing motorsports central in Toyota’s pursuit to build ever-better cars.

The Toyota booth is located in Hall 4, and will also be the scene for the Toyota Press Conference, scheduled to take place at 13:15 on September 29th.

The fuel cell Toyota Mirai offers many advantages when considering daily use and environmental performance:

• Mirai produces no tailpipe emissions other than water

• Like an electric or hybrid car, Mirai offers a quiet driving experience, without any noise

• Mirai achieves the same level of convenience and autonomy as gasoline engine vehicles, with a cruising range of 500 km and a hydrogen refuelling time of about three to five minutes to refuel the 2 hydrogen tanks.

By choosing the Toyota Mirai for the lap of honour, Prince Albert II of Monaco reiterates his intention to make the Principality of Monaco a pioneer in the field of sustainable mobility. The use of hydrogen means a turning point in terms of new mobility solutions and protection of the environment.

Toyota is honoured that Prince Albert II of Monaco opened this year’s 2016 Monaco Grand Prix in the Toyota Mirai, the world’s first fuel cell sedan.

Responsibility for the road test was given to KJ Tech Services GmbH of Hamburg. Toyota specified the total distance the Mirai should cover, as well as the amount of time spent on different types of road: in the city, on rural roads, on motorways, and on German autobahns with no speed limit. To meet these specifications, KJ Tech Services carefully calculated a single route in and around Hamburg, and organised a team of eight drivers working in two shifts per day, six days a week. 

“The Mirai performed excellently with no mechanical breakdowns,” said KJ Tech Services Project Manager Patrick Hake. “The fuel cell operated with 100% reliability. This was also the case during a week in which the outside temperature dropped to minus 20 degrees Centigrade, when no problems with cold starts were reported.” 

Toyota also asked the eight drivers for their feedback on the Mirai driving experience. They reported that the interior of the Mirai was comfortable and attractive, and remarked on the luxurious leather seats and steering wheel. It was also spacious; even the tallest driver said there was plenty of legroom. It handled well on curves, was easy to manoeuvre, and the steering was responsive. Acceleration was smooth with no jerking, and the drivers were impressed by the car’s power, which they said was immediately available when necessary, for example to overtake or surge away from traffic lights. 

The drivers themselves were responsible for filling the Mirai’s tanks with hydrogen. They had all received a short explanation of how to do this, but as there is little difference between filling up a hydrogen car and a conventional diesel or gasoline car, training was minimal. The drivers found refuelling a very easy and safe process. They recognised a major advantage of the Mirai over other electric vehicles. Instead of having to recharge overnight – and therefore be out of action – the Mirai could be refuelled in just three minutes and was immediately ready to drive.

More refuelling stations

In Norway the launch comes at a time when on top of the 5 existing hydrogen stations in the east of the country, two local hydrogen providers (HyOP and Uno-x) have committed to add more than 20 hydrogen stations across the country by 2020. The hydrogen stations are also expected to be a priority in the 2018-2029 National Transport Plan that comes with additional funding. Toyota customers can enjoy the same benefits of electric vehicles, i.e. VAT and tax exemptions on purchase, access to bus lanes and free toll. 

Toyota Norway PR Manager Espen Olsen: “This is an important milestone for Toyota Norway. We believe this is the start of something big, and we believe that this technology will play a key role in cutting emissions from Norwegian road transport, thus helping the country to achieve its climate targets”. Ahead of the launch the Toyota Mirai has been extensively tested on Norwegian roads and the car has passed all tests with flying colours. The Toyota Mirai has proven to successfully cope with the typical winter cold in Norway. “The cabin warms up very fast thanks to the heat produced as a by-product by the fuel cells, with no impact on the range of the car”, adds Mr Olsen.

100% Green hydrogen

Similar to neighbouring Norway, Sweden already has a number of hydrogen stations in cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, with more in the pipeline to open later this year (Mariestad and an additional station in the capital Stockholm). In Sweden hydrogen can easily be sourced as it is locally produced 100% based on renewable energy, just like in Denmark. Toyota Sweden PR Manager Bengt Dalström: “We see the introduction of the Toyota Mirai as a way to accelerate the development of hydrogen infrastructure in Sweden.”

Mirai playing key role

The number of Toyota Mirai cars sold in both countries will initially be relatively small to eventually increase significantly in the years leading up to 2020. Toyota estimates selling around 30,000 units a year globally in 2020 from 3,000 units by 2017. Since the car does not emit anything else but water vapour whilst driving, the Toyota Mirai is expected to contribute to reach the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 which, amongst others, aims at reducing CO2 emissions by 90% in 2050 compared to 2010 levels. 

Mirai is the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell sedan, benefiting from Toyota research and development of the fuel cell technology spanning for over two decades, and world-leading experience in hybrid vehicle power systems. Using hydrogen to generate electricity within a fuel cell stack, Mirai produces no tailpipe emissions other than water. In addition, a full-tank driving range of around 500 kilometres bears comparison with a petrol-powered car and the refuelling process only takes about three minutes to complete.

Mr Karl Schlicht, EVP Sales & Marketing at Toyota Motor Europe, commented 

“As recognized leaders in Hybrid technology, we are truly honoured to have received such an important award. This is a clear recognition of Toyota’s long term commitment to Fuel Cell, a convincing, safe and relevant mobility solution which is leading the way to the development of the ultimate ECO car.”

With a focus on the next 100 years of automobiles, Toyota has proceeded with the development of a vehicle that offers a new, unique value. Emitting nothing else than water vapour, the Mirai is a pioneering vehicle that will contribute to a Hydrogen Energy Society. In addition to its advanced fuel cell technology and environmental performance, the Mirai is fun to drive, has a futuristic design that clearly marks it as an FCV, and offers a quiet and comfortable ride. 

Launched in Europe in September 2015, the Toyota Mirai is already available for lease or purchase in the UK, Germany and Denmark. Its commercialisation is about to start in Belgium, Holland, Norway and Sweden, bringing the number of European countries where Mirai can be enjoyed to 7. Mirai is also sold in Japan and the United States.