The cold does take a significant toll. I loved my 2006 - but the 2012 PIP I now have does give me better mileage and range even without plugging in (bigger battery). The worst mileage of the Mirai though now matches the best I could do with the 2006 Prius. Progress at any cost ! :-P I just posted a couple more pics showing the 2012 Prius next to the Mirai in OldNSlow pics.
I'm not a fan of that front grill although I wasn't a huge fan of the front grill of my last car either. Is it not a hatchback? It is hard to tell from your pic and the pic on the website doesn't show it. (P.S. I used to have the Oceanside -> Irvine commute, it wasn't bad but definitely put a lot of miles on my car at the time)
It's a sedan. The difference is that the large grille is functional and needed to cool the FC bits under the hood. If you zoom in, you can see that it's hollow and air actually flows through most of the area. Only a relatively small bit is solid.
Is it for cooling, or because the FC needs to gulp down a lot of air? An ICE is actually a pump, and sucks in the air it needs. I think a fuel cell needs something to move air, and thus oxygen, in for the reaction. Some FCEVs used compressors. Not needing one was a bullet point of Hyundai's FCEV. I don't know how the Mirai does it. Its wheel base is a tenth of an inch longer than the Camry's, with around 3 inches more total length, 2 inches more height, and a couple tenths narrower.
It's a sedan with a trunk, not a hatchback. I am standing closer to the Mirai in the above photo and it is slightly more forward than the Prius, but it is bigger. Will post another photo below. Also posting a photo of the grill area - the top three slat areas direct air to the side openings. The bottom two are completely open - you can see the radiator behind it. 2016 Mirai and 2012 Plug-In Prius 1 of 2 by OldNSlow posted Mar 1, 2016 at 10:06 AM Mirai front grill detail by OldNSlow posted Mar 2, 2016 at 11:05 AM
Being more efficient than an ICE, it should being generating less heat. Though the fuel cell might not be able to shed it as easily.
Different animals. It was reported that the mirai needed to stay below 100 c (212F) or water would not condense and move properly. An ice is quite happy at 500C leaving a lot more room for the air to cool the radiator and take away heat + more heat leaves in exhaust. Of course you could use a heat pump and use less air, but that is more money and the mirai is already expensive.
Okay. Couldn't a simple fan help in moving the moisture laden air out the exhaust, or does the fuel cell require liquid water for proper operation?
It's a function of the beast PEM fuel cells with Pt and Pd as catlysts. PEM fuel cell relative humidity (RH) and its effect on performance at high temperatures Efficiency drops if relative humidy drops as it will if temperatures get too high. I'm sure some other catalysts may work in a low or no rh environment, but they are trying to get this tech cheaper not trying to make it harder. That means keeping temps down in the stack.
I had didn't consider the relative part of the humidity. Cooling would be simpler than trying to humidify the air to the right range.
2016 Toyota Mirai First-Drive – Fuel-Cells Dawning - SlashGear I belive hyundai or honda or both use a humidifyer for their PEM fuel cell. Still even with a humidifyer you can't let it get too hot.
Interestingly enough, there is a switch in the car to turn on a fan to blow out remaining water before you park in your garage, or if you're worried about water freezing.
It depends. If it is something that should be done, I agree. If it is just a matter of preference, then I don't think it is a big deal. As a Minnesotan, my biggest concern would be what effect freezing water would have if it were not expelled. However, if it is an issue, I am sure there will be a better solution by the time they are selling them out here.
Absolutely. However, if the water doesn't pool, it won't clog. It all depends upon the design. Does water "leak" out normally, or does it sit and cool enough to block up the exhaust.
It's a courtesy button so that the water doesn't drip on the garage or driveway and freeze, thus causing an icing hazard.
