Toyota Mirai hydrogen cars hit Melbourne

Melbourne has become the first city in Australia to allow hydrogen cars to operate on public streets.

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The Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is being tested in Australia under real-world conditions, as part of a 12-week trial held in conjunction with a Melbourne local council.

Toyota is providing three of the zero CO2-emitting hydrogen-electric vehicles to Hobsons Bay Council in Melbourne’s west.

The two have had a long association, with the now-closed Altona Toyota Factory located in the City of Hobsons Bay, which skirts the inner-western side of Port Phillip Bay.

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Pictured: Hobsons Bay mayor Angela Altair and CEO Aaron van Egmond, with Toyota Australia's Manager of Advanced Technology Vehicles Matt MacLeod with one of three Toyota Mirai FCEV trial vehicles.

While hydrogen cars such as the Mirai (Japanese for 'future') and Hyundai Nexo have been tested on Australian roads before, this will be the first time they’ll be entrusted to everyday drivers.

Council staff will use the futuristic coupes under a range of conditions and at different times of the day, just like any other vehicle.

Toyota Australia's Manager of Advanced Technology Vehicles and Site Development, Matt MacLeod, said the trial will go a long way to normalising the new technology.

"It's a great opportunity to highlight the fact that these cars drive just like any other vehicle, except they don't make any engine noise and emit nothing but water vapour,” he said.

"Like most hydrogen powered vehicles, the Mirai isn't currently available for sale in Australia, mainly because there isn't existing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure to support it."

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In fact, there is just a single permanent fuel-cell refuelling facility in Australia, somewhat ironically located at Hyundai Australia’s head office in Sydney.

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The trial FCEVs will be refuelled at a mobile hydrogen refueller based at Toyota’s Altona facility, which is also operating two Toyota fuel cell forklifts.

The Mirai debuted at the 2014 Los Angeles Motor Show, and more than 5,500 have been sold around the world.