The Early Days of Hydrogen-Powered Cars

You’re right! The Toyota Mirai wasn’t the first car to use hydrogen fuel. Let’s take a casual stroll through the history of hydrogen-powered cars and see some of the early pioneers.

1. The Hippomobile (1863)

Believe it or not, one of the earliest hydrogen-powered vehicles dates back to 1863! The Hippomobile, created by Belgian inventor Étienne Lenoir, used a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine. This quirky vehicle managed to complete a test drive from Paris to Joinville-le-Pont, proving that hydrogen could be used as a fuel for transportation. It was a pretty big deal back then!

2. GM Electrovan (1966)

Jumping forward to the 20th century, we have the GM Electrovan, introduced by General Motors in 1966. This was the first road vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The Electrovan used hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, which then powered an electric motor. Although it was more of an experimental vehicle and never went into mass production, it showed the potential of hydrogen fuel cells for automotive use.

3. Toyota FCHV and Honda FCX (2002)

In the early 2000s, hydrogen fuel cell technology started to gain more traction. The Toyota FCHV and Honda FCX, both introduced in 2002, were among the first commercially available hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. These cars were leased to customers and used hydrogen to generate electricity, emitting only water vapor as a byproduct. They were a big step forward in making hydrogen cars more mainstream.

4. Honda FCX Clarity (2008)

The Honda FCX Clarity, launched in 2008, was the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle designed for mass production rather than adapting an existing model. It offered improved performance, range, and efficiency compared to earlier models, making it a significant milestone in hydrogen vehicle technology.

Conclusion

So, while the Toyota Mirai is a fantastic hydrogen-powered car and has helped bring hydrogen fuel cells into the spotlight, it definitely wasn’t the first. These early vehicles paved the way for the hydrogen cars we see today, showing that hydrogen has long been a promising alternative fuel.