After it pioneered the hybrid segment, Toyota wants to be a leading player in hydrogen powered cars, with its new Mirai model, launched at the end of 2014. The car already reached the Japanese market and managed to score 1,500 orders in its first month on sale in Japan.
 
Due for introduction in Europe later this year, the hydrogen hybrid four-door exceeded expectations, as Toyota’s initial plan was to sell about 400 units by the end of this year.
 
Due to the large volume of orders received, Toyota expects some customers will experience longer waits for delivery than originally expected. The orders taken so far divide roughly 60:40 between government/fleet customers and private individuals.
 
Essentially, the new Mirai is an evolution of the FCV Concept seen last year at the Tokyo Motor Show. The most important fact is that the production version can travel up to 480 kilometers (about 300 miles) with only one hydrogen fill. The refill takes less than five minutes.
 
The Mirai has two hydrogen storage tanks that generate electricity and a 245-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack that store surplus electricity from the fuel cell and regenerative braking that allows the car to go the 480 kilometers (300 miles).
 

Mirai is powered by 113-kilowatt electric motor that puts out 247 foot-pounds of torque.  Toyota claims the car goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds.