LOS ANGELES – In a surprising move, Toyota Cuts the Price Of its Hydrogen Car In California to $17,000. Interestingly, if you live in Southern California, you can buy one particular new Toyota for about the cost of the cheapest subcompact car, with $15,000 of free fuel.
1. Hydrogen Car Toyota Mirai Current Price After Major Discounts:
That car, notably, is the 2024 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell sedan. According to CarsDirect, Toyota is currently offering discounts of up to 70% off the base XLE grade, which is normally priced at $51,285 (including destination). As a result, the price drops to $17,005 with destination, bringing it within a few hundred dollars of the cheapest car on the market, the gasoline-powered Nissan Versa sedan. Meanwhile, the Mirai Limited, which usually retails for $68,210 after destination, now costs just $25,210 with this discount.
2. Hydrogen Car Incentives Limited to Southern California Residents
Similar to other fuel-cell cars, the Mirai is only available in California because other states currently lack sufficient fueling infrastructure. However, these deals apply exclusively to residents in the southern portion of the state. Meanwhile, discounts in Northern California are lower, yet still significant—at $25,000 off the XLE and $33,000 off the Limited. In addition, Toyota is currently offering lease incentives of up to $7,500.
3. Hydrogen Car Buyers Receive Free Fuel Worth Over $15,000
Mirai customers also receive $15,000 of free fuel over up to six years, a perk Toyota was already offering. In fact, in XLE trim, the Mirai returns 72 miles per kilogram of hydrogen, according to the automaker, meaning this credit still amounts to more than 30,000 free miles—even at the peak price of $34.55/kg California experienced last October.
However, that was only the latest in a line of supply disruptions affecting consumer-level fuel-cell vehicles in recent years, as infrastructure for commercial trucks and industry continues to build out
. Consequently, an unreliable hydrogen supply has likely contributed to sluggish sales of the Mirai. Toyota reports that in the U.S., it delivered just 499 of the fuel-cell sedans in 2024, compared to 2,737 in 2023.
4. Hydrogen Car Toyota Mirai Offers Luxury Experience for Less
Overall, the Mirai isn’t a bad car. Whereas the first generation felt akin to a Prius, the current generation instead feels like a luxury car, with ride quality, handling, and noise, vibration, and harshness levels that are now comparable to the gasoline and hybrid sedans from Toyota’s upmarket Lexus brand.
Final Thoughts:
Toyota Cuts Price Of Hydrogen Car In California To $17,000, With $15,000 In Free Fuel. Although Toyota claims the current-generation Mirai effectively cleans the air as you drive, what the automaker calls “minus emissions”, hydrogen needs to be cleanly produced and readily available for that to happen. Previously, studies earlier this decade suggested that hydrogen would become greener and even cost-competitive with gasoline by the end of the decade. However, the price of hydrogen has instead soared.
Ready to explore the future of clean driving? Stay informed on the evolving technology at mitechnews.com.
FAQs:
1. Is a hydrogen car like the Toyota Mirai worth buying in California?
Yes, a hydrogen car such as the Toyota Mirai can be worth it in Southern California, especially with steep discounts and up to $15,000 in free fuel. However, limited fueling infrastructure and rising hydrogen prices are important considerations.
2. What are the main benefits of driving a hydrogen car today?
A hydrogen car offers zero emissions at the tailpipe, fast refueling times, and, in the case of the Toyota Mirai, a luxury driving experience. With current incentives, it can also be more affordable than ever.
