Toyota Australia has unveiled a mobile hydrogen refueller that will enable its three Mirai fuel-cell sedans to go anywhere in Australia that a conventional car can be driven.
The breakthrough, which has been developed by the company’s local engineers and partner suppliers, represents a clever temporary solution to counter the current lack of a refuelling infrastructure in Australia for fuel-cell cars.
Named 2016 World Green Car, Toyota’s Mirai is a remarkable zero-emissions car with all the convenience of the conventional vehicles, yet it runs on hydrogen instead of petrol or diesel.
Toyota Australia’s fuel-cell project sponsor and senior executive adviser to the board Bernie O’Connor said the mobile refueller will be instrumental in demonstrating the significant benefits of Mirai.
“The decision to invest in a mobile refueller demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to maintaining its leading role in developing flexible and personal mobility solutions for the next 100 years,” Mr O’Connor said.
“It is the first high-pressure hydrogen refueller in Australia that can completely fill a fuel cell vehicle.
This is a practical and necessary measure to enable people around Australia to learn about and experience first-hand, the game-changing Mirai and its ground-breaking technology.”
Mr O’Connor said Toyota will continue to work with governments, industry and other key stakeholders in Australia to fast-track the development of the refuelling infrastructure required to support the widespread sale of fuel-cell vehicles.
“Our local vision is that, as a first step, government departments and businesses running back-to-base fleets will be able to arrange appropriate refuelling. In parallel, we see great merit in the introduction of strategically placed refuellers in our larger cities,” he said.
As an interim measure, Toyota’s mobile refueller incorporates a generator and a compressor mounted in a purposebuilt trailer attached to a Hino 700 series prime mover.
Hydrogen, delivered to the refueller in bottles, is cooled and pressurised to the required 70MPa (700bar) before being pumped into the three Mirai sedans.
The refueller can also be used to deliver hydrogen to other fuel-cell vehicles, such as buses and forklifts, as well as being capable of transporting a Mirai.
Mirai offers a driving range of approximately 550km* when its two on-board tanks are filled with about 5kg of compressed hydrogen.
Refuelling from a commercial site takes just 3 to 5 minutes. The only tailpipe emission is water vapour.
Hydrogen is as safe as any other automotive fuel and, unlike fossil fuels, it does not contribute to global warming during vehicle operation.
It is the most abundant element in the universe and can be produced from almost anything – even sewage sludge – by using a vast array of primary energy sources, including pollution-free solar and wind power.
Mirai, the world’s first mass-produced fuel-cell sedan, is sold in Japan, the United States and Europe in areas supported by a refuelling infrastructure.
