Toyota, who have a vehicle manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire have provided a hydrogen fuel cell Mirai for use by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Derby City Council.
Toyota have loaned the car to the Council for two years, for use in the execution of civic duties and will cover all costs, including its refuelling.
L-R: Cllr Ajit Atwal (Deputy Mayor of Derby), Cllr Carmel Swan, Cllr Ged Potter (Mayor of Derby) and Darius Mikolajczak (Toyota) with the new Mirai.
Toyota began work on developing hydrogen technology in 1992 and launched the first Mirai in 2014. The current iteration of the car boasts a range of up to 400 miles.
The company has also been trialling hydrogen fuel cell technology in a range of other vehicles, including the prototype Hilux fuel cell pick-up truck, designed and built at the Burnaston plant in Derbyshire.
Derby and Toyota City in Japan have been twinned through a civic partnership since the Burnaston factory was built 30 years ago and, in 2021, the Council signed a partnership agreement with the manufacturer, allowing them to explore, develop and deliver mobility solutions for the future.
The hydrogen used in the car will be extracted from water using zero carbon renewable energy at the Toyota plant. The Mirai emits no CO2 or harmful tailpipe emissions when in use. It is estimated that it will save one tonne of CO2 emissions over the two year trial.
Cllr Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, praised the move. She said: ‘Our Climate Change Action Plan is all about how we can make changes to build a greener city and encourage partners and residents to do so as well. It’s only right that we lead by example, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to work with Toyota to provide this brand new, zero emissions civic car at no cost to the Council.
‘Our links with hydrogen go back centuries, with Henry Cavendish, who discovered the element, being buried in Derby Cathedral. Now, more than two and half centuries since that discovery, the use of this hydrogen powered car is another reminder of our place as a leader for sustainable fuel technologies.’
Darius Mikolajczak, Managing Director, Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, said: ‘It is an honour for Toyota to support Derby City Council’s civic activities with the provision of a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. We believe hydrogen plays a crucial role in decarbonizing transport and is a key part of Toyota’s multipath approach to mobility.
‘The Toyota Mirai, with its zero-carbon dioxide and no harmful tailpipe emissions, represents our commitment to sustainable technology and innovation. We are excited to see the positive impact this vehicle may have on inspiring the city’s journey towards a more sustainable future.’