As much as electric vehicles (EVs) are the future of the automotive world, we can agree that they are pricey. According to a list compiled by Motor Trend, the cheapest electric vehicle available in 2025 is the 2025 Nissan Leaf which has a price tag of 29,280 USD (approximately 44 million naira). Toyota’s hydrogen-powered EV is no cheaper with a starting price of 52,000 USD (approximately 78 million naira).
However, to every Californian reading this, you are in luck. Toyota has decided to slash the price of the Miria by about 70%, now with a price tag of 17,700 USD (approximately 26 million naira). To top it off Toyota is offering its customers $15,000 of free hydrogen over the next six years, a fee that is deducted from the 17,700 USD. This means that you effectively get the car for 2,700 USD (4 million naira).
A discount of 70% may seem suspicious, but there is a logical explanation for it. Last year, Toyota sold only about 499 Miria’s, compared to the previous year’s 2,737 units. In a way, this could be Toyota’s idea of marketing the Miria so that enough customers get to experience it, giving it a fighting chance against other EV producers like Tesla.
This price slash is currently only taking effect in California, but it may eventually trickle down to other US states. Once again, this is your cue to share this with any family or friend living in California. Having the option to save about 35,000 USD (approximately 52 million naira) is a no brainer. This is what Nigerians refer to as ‘awoof”. I think this price slash came at a perfect time considering a number of Californians, especially those in Los Angeles (LA), lost their vehicles to the LA fires.
2025 Toyota Miria
First off, the Miria is not your conventional EV and hence is not talked about as much. I bet you didn’t even know it existed before now. Toyota unveiled the Miria at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show as a mid-size hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV). Simply put, a hydrogen FCV is a type of electric vehicle that uses hydrogen to generate electricity to power its electric motor. Unlike conventional EVs that make use of batteries, FCV makes use of compressed hydrogen gas in tanks. With hydrogen as the power source, FCVs produce water and heat as byproducts. The Miria has gone through two generations so far and the 2025 Miria is a refreshed second generation model. The next question is, what does the 2025 Toyota Miria offer?
What’s New?
Electricity generated from the compressed hydrogen of a Miria is routed to a 182 horsepower (hp) electric motor. With 182hp you have a 0-60 mph time of about 9.0 seconds. Compared to other EVs like Tesla with 0-60 mph times in the 2 seconds range, the Miria is slow. But what it lacks in power, it makes up for in range with 402 miles per fill-up of hydrogen. The Miria, just like its name, is pretty on the outside and in the interior. Additionally, the Miria comes with Lexus-level comfort on every drive. It features a digital gauge cluster and a well-laid out infotainment screen with leather finishing and ambient lightning.
Ultimately, I will say that buying a Miria for a fraction of its price and essentially enjoying free fuelling for six years is more than just a bargain, it is a ‘giveaway’. If I lived in California, I would hop on this deal. Would you?
