We never expected a lithium-ion battery to be used in this way

The Toyota Mirai is a very special and unique vehicle that promotes the use of sustainable fuels as opposed to traditional fossil fuels. This product has not been the most successful, especially in recent years, because the development, distribution and storage of hydrogen is so complicated and expensive. In recent years, some hydrogen filling stations in California have had to close, partly due to a lack of demand. And this despite the fact that some well-known brands have invested heavily in this fuel source, including private and government collaborations.

This article is not about the lack of popularity of the Mirai, but rather about how some users have repurposed its hydrogen-electric system. The car in question is the previous generation model, which was sold in California and selected regions in the global market. This is not a completely unknown case, but it is certainly the first time we have seen a Mirai subjected to this task. Before we delve into this topic, we also want to clarify that what we cover does not affect the reputation of the manufacturer orfuture efforts around hydrogen technology .

To provide you with the most current and accurate information possible, the data used to create this article comes from Toyota’s websites and other authoritative sources, including Euromaiden Press, Teslarati, and Jalopnik.

Ukrainian troops convert the Mirai into a miniature hydrogen bomb

We don’t usually cover topics related to wars and international conflicts, but this incident is so bizarre that we thought it deserved some analysis as it could affect the future of automobile production, especially with regard to the development of hydrogen fuel cells and internal combustion engines. As reported by Euromaidenpress, The Ukrainian military used a drone strategy to force a Russian retreat to Vovchansk, a city in Ukraine. After the Russians were driven from their southern positions, the Ukrainians had to disrupt the aggregate plant, which the Russian forces defended by holding elevated positions overlooking the city. The Ukrainian forces used parts from a destroyed Tesla to build a ground-based drone bomb.

She Hydrogen fuel cell from a Toyota Mirai converted and attached it to the drone, which carried this bomb unnoticed across a narrow bridge and detonated it near the aggregate plant. This caused massive building damage and started a fire. This explosion, likely amplified by stored Russian ammunition, significantly weakened Russian defenses and allowed Ukrainian forces to advance and link up with other units. The successful use of this innovative weapon marked a turning point in the Battle of Vovchansk. As mentioned above, several armed forces have converted cars into explosive weapons, but this is the first time a combination of hydrogen and electric components has been used.

How the Mirai was transformed into a hydrogen bomb

Remember that while the fuel cell hydrogen tank was fully loaded it was nowhere near powerful enough to have the same effect as a conventional hydrogen bomb. So the Ukrainian armed forces added extra explosives to the fully charged fuel cell, but these only served to pierce the sturdy tank and ignite the fuel.

As highlighted by TeslaratiThe previous generation Mirai’s tank only held about 11 pounds of hydrogen, but the entire bomb weighed about 440 pounds. The main explosion occurred when the hydrogen tank ruptured after the surrounding explosives detonated. The tank, which contains hydrogen compressed at 10,000 PSI, has an extremely high energy density. Although the tank only held 12 pounds of hydrogen, it produced an explosive force equivalent to about 360 pounds of TNT.

The Toyota Mirai uses hydrogen stored in a high-pressure tank to generate power for its electric motors. The tank itself weighs about 115 pounds and stores just over 11 pounds of hydrogen at 10,000 PSI. That pressure is equivalent to about 22,500 feet underwater. The hydrogen inside has a tremendous potential energy of about 678 megajoules, which is about 357 pounds of TNT. The video above shows how the military acquired the parts and implemented the strategy.

This should not stop the market from thinking about hydrogen cars

Hydrogen itself is not banned per se in international conflicts, but there are some restrictions that are backed by international law and strictly regulated. Both the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Geneva Convention set clear rules to prevent the development and use of weapons that cause excessive harm or suffering, especially among civilians. These treaties prohibit the production and use of chemical and other weapons that violate humanitarian principles. If hydrogen were used in a way that caused mass casualties or unnecessary suffering, such as in a weapon of mass destruction, it could be considered illegal under these treaties.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty also monitors the use of materials that could potentially be used in nuclear or radiation weapons. Hydrogen is not a nuclear material, but its use in any form of explosive or destructive device would be closely scrutinized, especially if it poses a significant threat.

In addition, the international community is increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of warfare. The use of hydrogen in a way that causes widespread environmental damage could provoke international criticism and lead to restrictions. In this specific case, we believe that the Ukrainian Armed Forces did not violate any of these treaties, as it was a much smaller explosion and was used to secure a territory without harming civilians or natural formations.

This should not stop the market from thinking about hydrogen cars

TheCurrent status of the global hydrogen car market is in a somewhat depressed state as demand continues to falter. This is due to several factors, the most significant of which is the ever-increasing cost of the fuel source. A kilogram of hydrogen currently costs about $36 in the US, which is a hefty price compared to gasoline or electricity. Experts predict that this price will only rise as development and storage challenges continue. Although hydrogen shows promise for efficient cars, there are currently many pressing obstacles hindering its progress. This also means that other alternative fuel sources, such as synthetic fuels, are developing faster, leading to more attractive cost propositions.

We asked Toyota for comment on this incident and this was the automaker’s response:

“We have no way of confirming the accuracy of this claim. Toyota does not condone the use of our vehicles, parts or accessories for unauthorized military purposes.”

Toyota Mirai sales figures

Toyota Mirai sales have shown slight signs of improvement in recent years, but that’s only if you exclude the 2024 model year. A key reason the model is attractive to Californian drivers is the fact that the brand is throwing in $15,000 worth of free fuel with a six-year purchase or three-year lease.

Considering how much hydrogen costs today compared to when this generation of the Mirai came out, that is a much less attractive incentive. In 2023, the Mirai recorded one of the most successful performances in its relatively short history, with 2,737 units delivered. In the first half of 2024It confirms the delivery of 245 units which corresponds to an interest rate decline of 86 percent compared to the previous year.

No fear of hydrogen cars

If you are reading this and suddenly fear that your Toyota Mirai or other hydrogen car could easily be converted into a high-risk remote-controlled explosive device, we can assure you that the likelihood of this happening is zero. The use of hydrogen in private vehicles is completely different from its potential misuse in conflict.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is designed for safety and efficiency, offering a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels. These vehicles store hydrogen in secure, high-pressure tanks that can withstand extreme conditions, ensuring consumer safety. The rigorous testing and safety standards for hydrogen vehicles make them just as safe, if not safer, than traditional gasoline or diesel cars.

Why hydrogen cars pose no danger

• Hydrogen cars undergo rigorous safety tests to ensure that the tanks can withstand extreme conditions and do not leak.
• The tanks are equipped with numerous safety devices, including pressure relief devices, to prevent explosions even in the event of serious accidents.
• Hydrogen disperses quickly in the air and therefore reduces the risk of fire or explosion compared to gasoline, which collects on the ground.
• Modern sensors in hydrogen cars detect leaks immediately, allowing immediate safety measures to be taken.
• The hydrogen refueling process is subject to strict controls and is standardized, which minimizes the risks involved in refueling.
• Hydrogen burns cleanly and produces only water vapor. The safety systems in place make it as safe or safer than conventional vehicles.

The above international regulations focus on preventing the misuse of hydrogen for destructive purposes, not its use as an energy source. The strict oversight and control measures ensure that the application of hydrogen in consumer technology remains safe and useful. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels and are in line with global efforts to combat climate change.

The concerns surrounding hydrogen in conflict relate to its use as a weapon and do not affect the peaceful use of hydrogen in everyday life. The automotive industry and regulators prioritize consumer safety and are investing heavily in research and development to make hydrogen technology safe and reliable for public use.