Pioneering electrification: the Toyota Mirai FCEV fleet
For over 25 years, since the first Toyota Prius petrol-hybrid electric vehicle in 1997, Toyota has pioneered advanced electrified vehicle technologies. To date, over 24 million electrified Toyotas are on the road and have saved more than 160 million tonnes of CO2 emissions worldwide. In 2014, the launch of the first-generation Toyota Mirai heralded the arrival of the world’s first mass-market hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, demonstrating the global potential of using hydrogen to power clean and sustainable mobility.
Each Mirai’s fuel cell powerplant converts hydrogen into electrical energy that drives a 130 kW/182 hp electric motor. The cars provide CO2 and pollution-free motoring, combining long ranges with short refueling times. The Mirai has a range of up to 650 kilometers before a refueling stop at a hydrogen filling station is required. Taking around five minutes, the refueling time is not significantly longer than that of vehicles with internal combustion engines.
“H2 Moves Berlin opens a new chapter for emission-free mobility with hydrogen,” adds André Schmidt, President of Toyota Germany. “With this pilot project, we are not only expanding the range of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles in Berlin, but also demonstrating how suitable and efficient models like the Toyota Mirai are for everyday use, especially in commercial passenger transportation. H2 Moves Berlin proves that alternative drivetrains and everyday use go hand in hand. I’m delighted that Toyota can contribute to this flagship project,” he says.
Berlin: A showcase for city-wide hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
In Berlin, hydrogen has the support of industry, academia, and government, with a well implemented structure to accelerate the development and adoption of fuel cell and hydrogen technology. Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy, released in 2020 and updated in 2023, provides a coherent framework for the generation, transport and use of hydrogen, encouraging the relevant innovations and investment needed to ensure hydrogen’s viability, and for the country to position itself as a global frontrunner in the hydrogen space.
“Our passengers are already enthusiastic about the sustainable and comfortable mobility experience with hydrogen,” says Thomas Mohnke, Senior Executive Partner of the SafeDriver Group. “The drivers appreciate the combination of the driving performance of an electric car with the range and refueling speed of a combustion engine. As a fleet operator looking to minimise cars’ downtime while delivering zero emission mobility, hydrogen electric vehicles simply make sense.”
The Toyota Mirai taxis in Berlin can be booked via the Uber app by selecting the option “Comfort Electric – Premium Hydrogen / Electric Vehicles”. More information about H2 Moves Berlin is available here.