Dr. Michio Kaku, world famous physicist, gave a talk on Toyota's Mirai in early January of this year. The car combines oxygen and hydrogen to make electricity to power the car and Dr. Kaku believes that this is the car of the future. The car only emits water, has a range of 300 miles and can go from 0 to 60 mph in nine seconds. The Mirai, which has been priced at $57,000 in the U.S., is now being sold commercially in California.
When Dr. Kaku was asked for a description of his idea of the "perfect car," he gave characteristics that all described the Mirai:
1. The car had to be run on the most abundant element in nature: hydrogen.
2. The car had to have as few moving parts as possible. (The Mirai has no moving parts whatsoever.)
3. The car should only emit water and no smog.
4. The car must be consumer friendly.
For some, the characteristic is questionable as the price is still a bit too high for some. However, as Dr. Kaku states, "As mass production, competition, and economies of scale begin to kick in - and governments begin to subsidize the creation of refueling stations - you're going to see that cost drop even further."
Toyota has also stated back in January that all of its 5,680 patents dealing with fuel cells will be available to anyone that has hopes of improving the technology.
This article may be good to use in my final paper as it has a simple description of fuel cell vehicles and why they are so beneficial. It also shows why some researchers and engineers may be so willing to continue to work towards the image of the "perfect car." Also, the article gives some clearer information on the price of the Mirai. In a previous blog entry, it was recorded that the Mirai cost nearly $70,000. Though this is true for Germany, it is not the actual price of the Mirai that is being sold in California currently.
APA Citation:
Spoder, T. (2015, January 15). Here's why this expert physicist thinks Toyota's hydrogen fuel-cell car is 'perfect'. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from GeekWire: www.geekwire.come/2015/heres-expert-physicist-thinks-toyotas-hydrogen-fuel-cell-car-perfect/
MLA Citation:
Spoder, Taylor. Here's why this expert physicist thinks Toyota's hydrogen fuel-cell car is 'perfect'. 15 January 2015. 10 April 2015. <www.geekwire.come/2015/heres-expert-physicist-thinks-toyotas-hydrogen-fuel-cell-car-perfect/>.
This article seems very interesting and I have a sudden urge to test out this car! That is incredible how much it will safe and how it only lets out water. I like the last paragraph how you told us how you are going to use this in your essay. That was nice to consider.
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