At a “Zero Emission” event held today in The Hague, the Dutch National Hydrogen Platform presented its plans for the further development of hydrogen infrastructure. Mrs Sharon Dijksma, Dutch Secretary of State for Infrastructure and Environment, received the keys of two new Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Vehicles from Masahisa Nagata, Executive Vice-President of Research and Development at Toyota Motor Europe.
Mrs Sharon Dijksma said: “By making our transport sector more sustainable, we’re taking a concrete action towards the implementation of the historic climate change agreement of Paris. In addition to electric cars, hydrogen cars also help shaping a future with a cleaner and more quiet vehicle fleet. I’ll get in this new fuel cell vehicle as often as possible, hoping that more companies and drivers will follow suit and opt for a cleaner car.”
“Toyota is convinced that many partners are needed on the way towards a sustainable, hydrogen-based society. For this reason, I am particularly pleased to hand out the keys of these first two Mirai in the Netherlands to Mrs. Dijksma in person” said Mr Nagata. “We feel this is particularly timely, as the Netherlands hold the Presidency of the European Council.”
Pieter van der Velden, Director General of Louwman and Parqui – the Dutch Toyota importer – commented: “We are delighted with the delivery of the two Mirai vehicles to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment. Following the Prius Hybrid 15 years ago, and the extended hybrid product range that we offer today, Mirai represents yet another milestone towards clean mobility. We applaud the announcement made by the Secretary of State on the further expansion of hydrogen infrastructure in the Netherlands”.
Mirai is the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell sedan, benefiting from Toyota research and development of the fuel cell technology spanning for over two decades, and world-leading experience in hybrid vehicle power systems. Using hydrogen gas to generate electricity within a fuel cell stack, Mirai produces no tailpipe emissions other than water. Spacious, refined, comfortable and safe, it combines its advanced technology with superb practicality: a full-tank driving range of around 500 kilometres bears comparison with a petrol-powered car and the refuelling process only takes about three minutes to complete.
