2021 Toyota Mirai: The Eco-Friendly Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
Will this be the least mature automotive coverage you read all week? Very likely. In any event, our colleagues at iBestTravel currently have a 2021 Toyota Mirai in for evaluation. No surprise, the latest Mirai is a completely serious electric vehicle powered by a high-tech onboard hydrogen fuel cell. This technology uses hydrogen as a fuel to generate electricity through a chemical process, emitting only H2O—water—as a byproduct. On the Mirai, this water is released beneath the car via a controlled spigot activated by a button on the dashboard. Push the button, and the Mirai evacuates its water. This quirky feature offers an unexpected and humorous twist to its functionality.
Look, it’s not often you can describe something like a car as “peeing,” but when those opportunities arise, they cannot be wasted—water expelling pun intended. The Mirai’s wastewater, therefore, is incredibly funny. Here’s a peek at the process, as captured by photographer Brandon Lim.
Toyota handles the water evacuation from the Mirai in two ways. First, and most visibly, there is the button on the dashboard. Press it, and whatever water the Mirai has built up will dribble out under the car. Fail to do so, and the car will automatically empty its bladder for you. According to Toyota, the Mirai generates about one cup of water per mile, although this can vary depending on driving habits. Since there is no storage tank for the water, the system’s “capacity” consists of about a liter of water in the outlet system piping. Pressing the button to evacuate the water results in a more thorough flushing of the system.
One common question that arises pertains to whether or not this water is drinkable. Technically, it is “potable,” but is it recommended? Not really, primarily because it’s emitted from a hole underneath the Mirai—an area that’s hardly considered clean most of the time. Similar inquiries were raised about the previous-generation Mirai, and the same answers apply.
The good news for Toyota is that we are striving for amusing commentary about the all-new second-generation Mirai. It is an attractive, svelte, and compelling alternative-fuel vehicle, in stark contrast to its predecessor, which lacked visual appeal. This updated version is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, making it a significant improvement in the segment of eco-friendly vehicles.
