Red Cross Receives Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Cars

DriveH2, in collaboration with Toyota, has donated five Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region blood services and disaster fleet.

DriveH2 is the new public service initiative by Energy Independence Now (EIN), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and educating the world about the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

The Toyota Mirai creates electricity by converting hydrogen in an advanced fuel cell, leaving water vapor as the only tailpipe emission. The EPA rates the Mirai among the most fuel-efficient hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with one of the longest driving ranges. With a refueling time of just three to five minutes, the Mirai travels more than 300 miles on a full tank, with a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of more than 60 miles per gallon equivalent. 

The addition of these cars to the Red Cross fleet aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order moving California toward zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The Red Cross, in partnership with DriveH2, is pursuing that challenge as the dangers of climate change in the form of wildfires has steadily increased during the past few years, causing 2020 to be the most disastrous hurricane and wildfire season to date.

“For the past few years, the Red Cross Los Angeles has been on the ground responding to growing numbers of wildfires and home fires,” David Englin, chief operating officer of the Red Cross Los Angeles Region, said in a statement. “Adding these zero-emission vehicles to our fleet is aligned with our fundamental principles, one of which is humanity — our commitment to protect life and alleviate suffering.

The Red Cross uses its fleet to execute the mission of responding to disaster and providing shelter and resources to those affected. The fleet also helps to transport blood between collection drives and the health providers. Just this past year, Los Angeles Region Red Crossers drove more than 104,500 miles.

'We’re delighted to be able to donate these vehicles to the Red Cross Los Angeles,” Brian Goldstein, executive director of DriveH2/EIN, said in a statement. "This donation of fuel cell electric vehicles aligns perfectly with DriveH2's mission to raise awareness for hydrogen technology, a vital part of the zero-emission ecosystem. The vehicles' extended range and quick refueling time are a particularly good fit for the organization's operations, and we are honored to kick off this program alongside Toyota and the American Red Cross."