Here’s How Long It Takes To Fully Fill A Hydrogen Car!

Summary

In this episode of Out of Spec Reviews, the narrator explores the Toyota Mirai at an H70 hydrogen fueling station after a trip from Los Angeles to San Diego. They detail the unique refueling process, including safety checks and the technology behind hydrogen generation. Completing the refuel in approximately four and a half minutes, they compare the convenience of hydrogen fueling to electric vehicle charging, acknowledging the existing infrastructure challenges. Sponsored by Magna, the episode highlights the potential of hydrogen technology in the automotive landscape, particularly for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

Takeaways

• 😀 The episode showcases the hydrogen fueling process using a Toyota Mirai at a hydrogen station.
• 🚗 The Mirai is fueled with H70 hydrogen, which operates at 70 megapascals (about 10,000 psi).
• ⏱️ Refueling the Mirai takes approximately 4 minutes and 30 seconds from empty to full, significantly faster than electric vehicle charging.
• 💳 Toyota provides $15,000 worth of free hydrogen fuel for new Mirai leases or purchases, valid for three years on leases and six years on purchases.
• 🔧 The fueling station features its own hydrogen production system, labeled as renewable hydrogen.
• ❄️ The host encounters issues with the nozzle due to cold temperatures causing ice to form, which complicates the connection process.
• 📊 There are two types of hydrogen fueling standards: H70 and H35, with H35 being older and only able to fill the Mirai to 50% capacity.
• 🌍 The hydrogen fueling infrastructure in the area has reliability concerns, with only about half of the stations being operational.
• 📈 The host highlights that hydrogen's quick refueling time could be advantageous in regions where overnight EV charging isn't available.
• 🤔 While the host is exploring hydrogen technology, they remain skeptical about its viability for passenger cars but see potential for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on the Toyota Mirai and the process of refueling it at an H70 hydrogen fueling station in Southern California.

How does the fueling process for hydrogen compare to traditional gasoline refueling?

The hydrogen fueling process is similar to gasoline refueling in that it involves inserting a nozzle and initiating the filling process, but it is generally quicker, taking about 4 minutes and 30 seconds to fill the Mirai.

What are the two grades of hydrogen mentioned, and how do they differ?

The two grades of hydrogen are H70 and H35. H70 operates at 70 megapascals of pressure and can fully fill the Mirai, while H35 can only fill it to 50% capacity.

What does the host think about hydrogen as a fuel source?

The host expresses a growing interest in hydrogen, noting its potential benefits and effectiveness in Southern California, while acknowledging the challenges of hydrogen infrastructure.

What specific feature of the hydrogen fueling station does the host highlight?

The host highlights that the hydrogen fueling station appears to be an electrolyzer station that generates its own renewable hydrogen, contributing to sustainability.

What issues did the host encounter while using the hydrogen fueling station?

The host faced challenges with the nozzle being frozen and not connecting properly at first, which required a bit of troubleshooting.

How is the amount of hydrogen dispensed measured during fueling?

The amount of hydrogen dispensed is measured in kilograms, and the fueling process involves stages of lower, medium, and high-pressure filling.

What are some benefits of hydrogen vehicles compared to electric vehicles (EVs)?

Benefits of hydrogen vehicles include quicker refueling times compared to charging EVs, which can take longer, especially when starting from zero.

What kind of support does Toyota provide for fueling the Mirai?

Toyota offers $15,000 worth of free hydrogen fuel for three years on a lease or six years on a purchase of the Mirai.

What conclusion does the host reach about the current state of hydrogen technology?

The host concludes that while hydrogen technology shows promise, especially for medium and heavy-duty applications, there are still significant challenges related to infrastructure and accessibility for passenger vehicles.