Mirai Owners Sue Toyota Over Scarcity of Hydrogen Stations

UPDATE: Owners of the Toyota Mirai are taking urgent legal action against the automaker, claiming they were misled about the car’s usability due to a severe lack of hydrogen filling stations. This lawsuit, filed by attorney Jason Ingber, highlights a pressing issue for Mirai drivers across the United States, particularly in California, where only 54 locations exist as refueling options as of 2024.

Mirai owners are expressing severe buyer’s remorse, stating that their cars are essentially unusable outside a limited geographic area. In a striking example, a resident of Marin County, Malcolm Boehme, found himself stranded at a non-operational hydrogen pump. “I’m literally stuck here,” he reported, illustrating the dire situation many drivers face.

The lawsuit alleges that Toyota’s marketing exaggerated the availability of hydrogen stations, claiming they would be as ubiquitous as traditional gas stations. Despite some progress from an initial 20 stations in 2016, the infrastructure has not kept pace with the promises made to consumers.

Massive depreciation of the Mirai has made matters worse. In 2024, discounts reached as high as $43,000 off MSRP, with incentives including zero percent financing and $15,000 in free fuel. Yet, owners are finding it difficult to sell their vehicles, often facing steep financial losses. One Marine purchased a 2023 Mirai for $42,358.93, only to be offered a mere $11,000 when relocated to Virginia, leaving him with a $24,000 balance on a car he could no longer use.

The current state of hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the U.S. remains a critical concern. Outside of California, options are nearly non-existent. Stations in Vancouver, British Columbia, and a few isolated locations in Hawaii and Quebec provide limited alternatives for Mirai owners hoping to travel beyond their immediate area.

The lawsuit also points to a broader issue with fuel cell technology. As electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure rapidly expands—over 75,000 Tesla Superchargers now operational—hydrogen remains elusive and difficult to manage. The U.S. Energy Information Administration confirms that while hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it is challenging to find in a pure form and requires more energy to produce than it yields as fuel.

Toyota’s Mirai, once seen as a pioneering solution to the EV challenge, now faces existential questions about its viability in a market that increasingly favors battery-powered vehicles. As the automotive landscape shifts, consumers are left grappling with the repercussions of purchasing a vehicle that was marketed based on unrealistic expectations.

With this lawsuit gaining traction, Mirai owners are calling for accountability and transparency from Toyota. Their experiences underscore the urgent need for a reliable hydrogen refueling network to support the future of fuel cell vehicles. As developments unfold, the outcome of this legal battle could significantly impact both consumers and the automotive industry’s approach to hydrogen technology.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, as the implications for current and future Mirai owners are monumental.