Mirai Marathon

Responsibility for the road test was given to KJ Tech Services GmbH (Hamburg). Project Manager was Patrick Hake: “Not only the total distance was specified, but also the amount of time spent on different types of road. We therefore carefully worked out a single route in and around Hamburg, and organised a team of eight drivers working in two shifts per day, six days a week, to ensure we completed the road test according to the exact specifications.” These specifications involved the Mirai driving in the city, on rural roads, on motorways, and on German autobahns with no speed limit.

The test started on 21^st September 2015 and finished on 10^th February. Every day for 107 days, the Mirai was on the road for 16 hours. During its 100,000-kilometre journey, the car used just over 1000kg of hydrogen. The tyres were changed twice, and its front brake pads were replaced. The Mirai performed excellently with no mechanical breakdowns. The fuel cell operated with 100% reliability. This was also the case during a week in which the outside temperature dropped to minus 20 degrees Centigrade, when no problems with cold starts were reported.

The drivers themselves were responsible for filling the car with hydrogen. They had all received a short explanation on how to fill the Mirai’s tanks with hydrogen. However, as there is not much difference between filling up a hydrogen car and a conventional diesel or gasoline car, the training necessary was minimal.

The drivers found refuelling a very easy and safe process. They recognised a major advantage of the Mirai over other electric vehicles. Instead of having to recharge overnight – and therefore be out of action – the Mirai refuels in just three minutes and was immediately ready to drive.

The car was also considered spacious; even the tallest driver said there was plenty of legroom. It handled well on curves, was easy to manoeuvre, and the steering was responsive. Acceleration was smooth with no jerking, and the drivers were actually surprised by the car’s power. “The power was immediately available when you wanted it, for example to overtake or surge away from traffic lights,” remarked one driver.