Toyota’s decision to launch a second-generation Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle was met with some surprise, given that the technology never enjoyed strong sales. However, two years down the road, the automaker is reevaluating its approach. During the Japan Mobility Show, Toyota’s Chief Technology Officer, Hiroki Nakajima, revealed that the Mirai’s sales performance has been lackluster due to challenges in realizing hydrogen refueling stations.
According to Nakajima, it has been “difficult to realize” a robust network of hydrogen fueling stations, a crucial element for the success of hydrogen-powered passenger cars. Currently, there are only 57 hydrogen refueling locations in the United States, all of which are situated in California, according to the US Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.
