California governments get a deal on Toyota Mirais for fleets

A few Toyota Mirais have been added to fleets at two California government entities, which appeared to have gotten some choice deals on the hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, Hybrid Cars says. Specifically, Sacramento County added four Mirai vehicles, with plans to add another six. The city of Long Beach is leasing one.

Toyota appears to have offered these vehicles at a pretty good discount. Sacramento County acquired its vehicles for a state-contracted price of $41,000, which marks a 28 percent discount from the Mirai's $57,000 sticker price. Then, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) fleet pilot project rebate cut it down by another $15,000. Finally, there's the $15,000 worth of free hydrogen for a three-year period (which is available to all Mirai owners). As for Long Beach, the Southern California city took out a three-year, $24,000 lease on its Mirai that includes maintenance and fuel.

So far, the Mirai, which debuted in California, has been a low-volume affair. Through May, Toyota moved 178 units after selling 72 vehicles last year. As for California, the state now has 29 hydrogen-refueling stations, including 24 that are to the public. Relative to the rest of the country, that's impressive, considering there's just one each in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and South Carolina. Additionally, First Element Fuel last month said it would up its count of True Zero-branded stations to 19 by early next year from the current 13.

Still, this is all behind schedule. In 2004, California said there would be 100 refueling stations by the end of 2010 and, ultimately, about 250 throughout the state. So while the recent Mirai acquisitions are good news for hydrogen fans, California remains behind its previously stated goals for what was once going to be the "hydrogen highway."

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