Brisbane motoring enthusiasts are in for a treat next Wednesday morning, as Toyota opens up its doors for a display and drive of its Mirai fuel cell vehicle.
AfMA members and other interested guests are free to attend the Open Day between 9am-1pm at Toyota’s base at Acacia Ridge, presenting a great opportunity for those wanting to explore the potential of FCV technology.
Powered purely by hydrogen – the Mirai’s only emission is water – making it a reliable alternative to traditional combustion engines and even electric vehicles.
Toyota’s Regional Fleet Manager for the Northern Region Jason Mordacz said it was an exciting opportunity for fleet managers and others in the automotive sector.
“Because the fuel cell is a renewable source this vehicle provides numerous advantages for us,” he said.
“The Mirai provides drivers a quick fill up of just 4 to 5 minutes, rather than having to charge an electric car for 6 hours.”
“When you look at how big Australia is as a country, the versatility to have a range of over 500km per trip is also a big advantage for us.”
The hydrogen-powered FCV sector is gaining momentum with Hyundai, Honda and even Mercedes Benz hoping to release models in coming years.
Victoria’s Moreland City Council is also working towards transitioning to a zero-emission fleet, spearheaded by a launch of a groundbreaking hydrogen truck for its waste collection service in mid-2017.
Toyota itself currently holds 3 FCVs across Australia and is working closely with governments and large fleet companies to gauge interest in the vehicles long term.
“We are moving forward pretty quickly and are meeting with key fleet clients to look at bringing other vehicles coming across as the demand increases,” he said.
“We’ve got to get this technology out there and give as many people as we can the chance to drive it.”
The Toyota Mirai will be available for a display and test drive between 9am-1pm on Wednesday 30th May at Toyota’s Brisbane headquarters at 20 Paradise Road, Acacia Ridge.
