Scientists want the Paris Olympics to dump Toyota’s Mirai as an official car, it emerges as the much-anticipated sports event is set to kick off on Fri, Jul 26, 2024.
As reported, a group of 120 scientists, engineers and academics have penned an open letter calling on the Paris Olympics’ organizers to ditch Toyota’s Mirai as the official vehicle of the Games, saying the hydrogen-powered car undermines the event’s green credentials.
“We are writing to express our concern that Toyota’s promotion of a hydrogen car is scientifically misaligned with net zero and will damage the reputation of the 2024 Games,” the letter states.
“Opportunity remains to reroute, and we urge that you require Toyota to replace the Mirai with a Battery Electric Vehicle as the official Games vehicle,” it added.
Toyota’s contribution to the event’s official fleet highlights its commitment to sustainable transportation. With 500 Mirai hydrogen fuel cell cars and 10 hydrogen-powered coaches, Toyota is promoting hydrogen as a viable, clean energy source.
Additionally, the inclusion of 1,150 electric vehicles (EVs) demonstrates their dedication to reducing carbon emissions and supporting eco-friendly travel for athletes.
This move underscores Toyota’s role in advancing green technology and sustainable mobility solutions.
The adoption of hydrogen vehicles has been slow due to several challenges. One of the main issues is the lack of infrastructure, with very few refuelling stations available, making it inconvenient for consumers.
Additionally, the production of green hydrogen, which is made through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources like wind and solar, is not yet widespread. Experts believe that green hydrogen will not be readily available at fuel stations shortly, further hindering the growth of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
This highlights the significant hurdles that need to be overcome for hydrogen technology to become a mainstream transportation solution.