Sarawak is now home to the first Toyota Mirai in Malaysia, as UMW Toyota Motor hands over four units of the second-generation hydrogen fuel cell EV (FCEV) to SEDC Energy, and one to the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The move was in line with Sarawak’s Green Mobility and Green Energy Initiative, as well as Toyota’s own commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050. With the delivery of these five units of the Toyota Mirai to Sarawak, the companies aim to create awareness to the public on the many solutions that are available in mobility.
Toyota globally is committed to becoming climate neutral by 2050 through a practical and sustainable manner, with more carbon-neutral or carbon reducing options – instead of a head-on charge towards battery EVs – to meet the diverse economic realities of customers, the available energy sources, charging infrastructure readiness, industrial policies, and the customers’ mobility needs in every country.
This approach, according to the company, will help achieve accessible electrification at scale and speed, supporting each country’s prorities and national objectives, including carbon neutrality, air quality improvement, oil import reduction, industrial development, and sustainable employment, while still providing realistic mobility solutions to their citizens.
“The immediate way forward to address CO2 emissions is via Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) like the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which is at its most advanced technologically and economical, making it accessible to the masses. Meanwhile, a full line-up of Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is underway globally, and we are exploring the possibility of the introduction of a Toyota beyond Zero (bZ) model for the Malaysian market,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.
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“To continue the acceleration of electrified vehicles, Toyota has invested in research and development for the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. With the delivery of the Mirai to SDEC Energy … both UMW Toyota Motor and SEDC Energy are set to capitalise on the
opportunity to further study the potential of its technology as a stepping stone for developing a low-carbon economy with new fuel cell systems that prioritise compact size, efficiency and productivity to support the mobility needs of society,” he added.
The second-generation Toyota Mirai was unveiled in Japan back at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, ditching its predecessor’s clumsy styling to emerge as a sleek and slender fastback – with some of the world’s most advanced consumer-ready hydrogen FCEV tech underneath it.
With the new longer silhouette and a rear-wheel drive-only drivetrain, the second-generation Toyota Mirai (which means Future in Japanese) is able to accommodate a larger fuel cell, translating to a 35% improvement in driving range over its predecessor with a rated range of 645 km from a single tank.
Sarawak has been one of the largest proponents to new energy vehicles (NEV) not just in Malaysia, but throughout the entire region too. The state – through Sarawak Energy – previously purchased two units of the Hyundai Nexo as a test bed for its pilot hydrogen production plant and refueling station project in Kuching.
Last year, Sarawak also saw the opening of the nation’s first-ever multi-fuel station in Kuching, which houses petrol, diesel, hydrogen, as well as EV charging stations under one roof. The multi-fuel station is developed and wholly owned by SEDC Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, and is operated by the state-owned Petroleum Sarawak (Petros).
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