Toyota hydrogen fuel vehicle receives rating from EPA

EPA issues official rating for Toyota’s Mirai

Toyota’s new fuel cell vehicle, the Mirai, has received an official rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA attributes ratings to all vehicles that are released in the country and these ratings have to do with the fuel efficiency of these vehicles. Efficiency has been a topic of interest for those that have been considering purchasing a fuel cell vehicle. Some have expressed concerns that fuel cell vehicles may not be as efficient as their battery-powered counterparts.

Mirai set to launch in the US in the coming months

The Mirai was officially launched in Japan first, as the country represents one of the largest and fastest growing clean transportation markets in the world. The Mirai has yet to see a widespread commercial release in the United States. The vehicle is scheduled to be released in California in the coming months, with another limited launch coming to the Northeastern states in the first half of 2016. California was chosen as the launch pad for the Mirai in the United States because of the state’s relatively comprehensive hydrogen fuel infrastructure.

Mirai can travel 312 miles on a single tank of hydrogen fuel

According to the EPA rating, the Mirai  has a 312 miles range, with a 67 miles-per-gallon equivalent. This is somewhat above the range of battery-powered vehicles and falls in line with some of the cleaner versions of conventional vehicles. Toyota is also planning to sell the vehicle at $57,000, which places it in a lower price range than similar vehicles. According to Toyota, the Mirai has set a record in terms of the efficiency of fuel cell vehicles.

Fuel cell vehicles still lack the infrastructure support they need to receive widespread support

While fuel cell vehicles have begun gaining more attention, not all of this attention is good. These vehicles have received criticism for being expensive compared to conventional electric vehicles. They also lack the support of a comprehensive fuel infrastructure. The lack of hydrogen stations may make it difficult for owners of fuel cell vehicles to keep them fueled.