Fremont is a city of early adopters, as reflected in the rates of EV ownership, which are among the highest in California. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Fremont is among the first Bay Area cities to build a hydrogen fueling station – which arrives just in time for the Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle that is now available online and in select dealerships.

Fremont staff recently had the opportunity to check out the Mirai, and talk with Toyota and its partners about their clean energy goals and the future of passenger vehicles. Here’s what we learned:

  • Toyota’s suite of hybrid vehicles has already diverted 67 million cubic tons of C02 emissions and saved 6.6 billion gallons of gas worldwide.
  • The Mirai fuel cell stack combines 20 years of engineering work to deliver maximum power density in the smallest size stack possible.
  • 370 cells on the fuel stack pull in hydrogen, which is combined with air to create electricity, resulting in water as a byproduct. The engine produces power on demand, with zero emissions.
  • Safety features include carbon reinforced tanks, sensors that stop fuel flow in case of an accident, and eight airbags.
  • The range will take you 312 miles, and even better, when you do need to fillup, you’ll be on your way five minutes later (unless you need a Slurpee!)
  • Hydrogen stations are rolling out statewide. Nine stations are now open in Northern California including Hayward, San Jose, Truckee, and Harris Ranch. Six more will open in 2017 including Fremont, Palo Alto, and Mountain View.
  • While the cost for hydrogen is currently higher than gas, Toyota is offering three years of complimentary fuel up to $15,000. They’re also throwing in three years of enhanced road service, three years of complimentary maintenance, and an eight-year/100k mile warranty on key fuel cell system components.
  • The sticker price is $57,500 with $13,000 of state/federal rebates available, and zero percent financing for 60 months. Leases are quoted at $499/month for 36 months.
  • Of the 5,000 units that Toyota will produce globally through this and next model year, the majority will be sold or leased in California and the Northeast.

With 58 percent of Fremont’s greenhouse gases being attributable to vehicles, the City remains interested in opportunities to increase the number of zero-emissions vehicles on our roads. You can find out more about the Mirai here.