Al-Futtaim Motors, the Toyota’s official dealer in the UAE, has unveiled first hydrogen refilling station at its Al Badia showroom in association with France’s Air Liquide. The move is in line with UAE’s Vision 2021 to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gases emissions. Moreover, it is in accordance with the Paris Agreement, which UAE signed in 2016 to curb global warming to 2°C below pre-industrial levels. Four years back, the road transport was representing 22% of the UAE’s CO2 and other greenhouse gases releases, and with each passing year, it is contributing more and more to the pollution.
The Toyota’s first hydrogen refilling station will only be used to refill Toyota Mirai now, which was introduced last year. The hydrogen-powered car is not officially available in the UAE right now, but Al-Futtaim tested the vehicle rigorously in the local conditions for its suitability for the region.
Those who are not aware of the Hydrogen-powered cars must know that these cars use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and that propels the car without yielding any carbon emissions. Unlike plug-in hybrids and electric cars, the hydrogen-powered cars can be refilled in just 3 to 5 minutes and offer a huge driving range. For instance, the Mirai offers 502 kilometers of range on a full tank. We did a test drive of Mirai in 2016. See here what it is capable of.