The Hydrogen Dream Turns Sour for California Drivers
The promise of a hydrogen-fueled future has taken a disheartening turn for hundreds of car owners in California. Drivers who purchased Toyota’s flagship fuel cell vehicle, the Mirai, are now suing the automaker along with several key partners, including hydrogen station operators, claiming they were misled about the viability of the hydrogen fueling network. As infrastructure crumbles and hydrogen prices soar, many Mirai drivers find themselves still making payments on cars they no longer drive.
This legal backlash arises as Toyota, once a pioneer in hydrogen-powered mobility, faces increasing scrutiny regarding whether it launched this technology prematurely into an unprepared market.
A Green Gamble Gone Wrong
Sam D’Anna, a Mirai owner, had barely driven his $75,000 vehicle when he realized he was in trouble. After filling up his hydrogen tank, he learned that the nearest fueling station was offline, and the next one was nearly 25 miles away. Despite the Mirai’s impressive EPA-estimated range of 402 miles, his low fuel reading meant he could only travel 22 miles.
“This is bad. My heart was dropping into my stomach,” D’Anna recounted to the Sacramento Bee.
D’Anna is now part of a class action lawsuit against Toyota, the hydrogen station operator FirstElement Fuel, the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership, and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, accuses the defendants of fraud, negligence, and violations of consumer protection laws, alleging that Toyota knowingly sold vehicles dependent on a fuel ecosystem that was far from adequate, trapping buyers in loans for cars they can hardly use.
Currently, D’Anna’s Mirai is parked under a tarp at his father’s house while he continues to pay nearly $1,100 monthly for it, in addition to a $1,200 monthly payment for a Ford F-150 hybrid he bought in 2023.
Infrastructure That Never Materialized
California's ambitious vision for hydrogen once seemed attainable. The state invested tens of millions of dollars into building a network of fueling stations, while automakers like Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda presented sleek zero-emission vehicles powered by compressed hydrogen gas. The vision was clear: drivers could refuel in minutes and emit only water vapor, which was positioned as a preferable alternative to electric vehicles still gaining traction.
However, the rollout of the hydrogen infrastructure has lagged significantly behind the marketing promises. Currently, California has about 50 hydrogen fueling stations according to data from the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership, and major player Shell has exited the market, closing several locations.
Even when hydrogen stations are operational, they often face maintenance issues and inconsistent supply. Furthermore, hydrogen prices have skyrocketed, with filling up a tank going from $70 to nearly $200, as reported by the Bee.
“The issue isn’t the tech, it’s everything around it. The infrastructure just isn’t ready,” stated Patrick Peterson, auto expert at GoodCar.com.
The Price of Faith in an Idea
Ricky Yap, another Mirai owner, purchased his 2016 model for $16,000 in 2020, which included a prepaid fuel card of the same value. Initially, he found the fueling experience manageable, but things soon deteriorated. The closure of hydrogen stations meant long waits at the few remaining sites, with fueling times extending to as long as four hours.
“I used it very seldom just because of the fact I don’t like the stress,” Yap explained. He ultimately canceled his insurance and registered the Mirai as non-operational.
The lawsuit alleges that Toyota misled consumers about the hydrogen ecosystem's viability, with many buyers motivated by environmental concerns and enticed by generous incentives. Unfortunately, the resale value of these hydrogen vehicles has plummeted.
Another plaintiff, Parita Shah, shared her experience, revealing that her dealership offered her a mere $2,000 for her $36,000 Mirai due to nearby stations shutting down shortly after her purchase.
Consumers’ Legal Action Turns Up the Pressure
In July 2025, frustrated Mirai owners organized a demonstration in Los Angeles to highlight what they termed a “broken promise.” Protesters held signs proclaiming “Mirai is a Lie” and “Toyota Made a Big Mistake.”
Jason Ingber, attorney for several Mirai owners, spoke at the event, accusing Toyota of knowingly selling a product within a failing infrastructure. “These are brands they thought they could rely on, and they go in, and they’re told ‘This is the next best thing!’ and it turns out, it’s not,” Ingber remarked.
Automakers Offer Limited Relief
In response to the growing concerns, Toyota has acknowledged the fueling issues and confirmed that it ceased selling new Mirais in the Sacramento area over a year ago. The company has stated that it is working with affected customers on a case-by-case basis.
While rental cars and service credits have been proposed as remedies, plaintiffs argue these are not sustainable solutions. For instance, Shah has been relying on a series of short-term rental cars, having to exchange them every 25 days, all while continuing to make $326 monthly payments on a car she cannot use.
Hyundai, which also markets the hydrogen-fueled Nexo SUV, has offered similar 21-day rental options and issued a recall for about 1,600 Nexo SUVs due to potential hydrogen leaks and fire risks.
A Shrinking Market
Since 2012, fewer than 18,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles have been sold in California, with Toyota accounting for a significant majority. However, the pace of adoption has drastically slowed. In contrast, California now boasts millions of battery electric and hybrid vehicles.
Government support for hydrogen fueling infrastructure has also diminished, with funding dropping from approximately $20 million to $15 million annually, now extended beyond just light-duty stations.
Former state senator and current Mirai owner Josh Newman has expressed frustration, stating, “I blame the state. We were supposed to have 200 stations up and running for light-duty hydrogen vehicles by 2025.”
A Clean Tech Cautionary Tale
Despite Toyota’s initial bold investment in hydrogen technology, the future for hydrogen-powered personal mobility remains uncertain. Although the technology might still find its niche in specific sectors, consumer trust in hydrogen vehicles has been shaken, and the infrastructure remains unreliable for those who opted to be early adopters.
This experience serves as a cautionary tale for consumers invested in the vision of hydrogen-powered transport. “People want something they can rely upon,” commented Alex Black, Chief Marketing Officer at EpicVIN. “And they want it to be easy. Hydrogen is not quite there yet.”
For Mirai owners, the ongoing payments for cars that sit idle encapsulate the sobering reality of the hydrogen-powered future they once hoped for.
