UK first as ITM Power takes shipment of Toyota electric car

SHEFFIELD clean energy and storage firm ITM Power has received a UK first, a Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle.

 ITM has also signed its first fuel contract with Toyota, covering the green hydrogen fuel dispensed from three London HyFive refuelling stations.

Three more will be deployed on existing London forecourts, which will have a capacity of 400kg per day, beginning the “seeding” of UK hydrogen infrastructure.

The car giant has confirmed that the UK is an early entry market for electric vehicles, alongside Germany and Denmark.

Chief executive of clean energy firm ITM, Dr Graham Cooley, and Professor Roger Putnam CBE, chairman of ITM Power received the Toyota Mirai from Dr Johann Van Zyl, VP Toyota EU, at the Toyota GB Headquarters in Epsom, Surrey.

The firm’s Mirai is the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell saloon, using hydrogen gas to generate electricity within a fuel cell stack, Mirai produces no tailpipe emissions other than water.

According to the firm it has a full-tank driving range of around 300 miles bears comparison with a petrol-powered car and the refuelling process only takes about three minutes to complete.

Toyota expects 12 to be on the road in the UK before the end of this year, including four vehicles announced by Transport for London last week.

Dr Graham Cooley, chief executive, ITM Power, commented: “It is an honour for ITM Power to be the first customer in the UK to receive a Toyota Mirai. The Mirai FCEV is, quite simply, the future of transport and we are delighted to be part of that future.

“We will be working closely with Toyota to ensure that Mirai drivers have the most rewarding driving experience possible.”

Dr Johann Van Zyl, vice president of Toyota EU said: “Mirai and our hydrogen fuel cell technology are important elements in our mission to help create a future zero emissions society. We are proud of the technology we have developed, but if our ambitions for sustainable mobility are to be achieved, our vision needs to be shared by our customers.

“That is what we are seeing today, with ITM Power embracing Mirai and hydrogen power at the earliest opportunity. We thank them for their support and advocacy.”

Paul Van der Burgh managing director, Toyota (GB) added: “This is a proud moment for Toyota in the UK, which fittingly comes in our 50th anniversary year of selling vehicles in this country.

“Toyota has made Britain one of the first markets in Europe for Mirai, thanks to the commitment of government and business here to put in place the infrastructure and resources needed to make hydrogen power a viable, practical and effective proposition.

“Our first customers for Mirai are true pioneers who recognise the valuable rewards hydrogen can deliver.”

Close