Toyota has tried to increase sales of its hydrogen-fueled Mirai model, offering discounts of up to $40,000 (£31,595) to drivers in California, according to reports.

Poor sales of hydrogen cars in the US have been suggested as the reason for the almost 60 per cent drop in price, prompting Toyota to offer massive discounts.

In 2023, 2,968 new hydrogen cars were sold by the car brand, an increase of more than 10 per cent compared to the year prior.

Hydrogen car sales of the Toyota Mirai were up 31 per cent to 2,737 units while sales of the hydrogen fuel cell Hyundai Nexo dropped by 41 per cent to 241 units.

The model can accelerate from zero to 62mph in nine seconds and has a top speed of 108mph

In its latest financial update, Toyota said: “As the semiconductor shortage eases, we have been asking suppliers and dealers for their understanding and cooperation.

“In order to deliver as many vehicles as possible to customers as quickly as possible, we have been striving to increase production, certain issues have become more apparent.”

For drivers in the United States, the vehicle is only in California for around $67,095 (£52,997), with the discount applied the car price has now dropped to $27,095 (£21,402), according to electrive.

Toyota has offered zero percent financing on its hydrogen car for some time as well as its fuel card worth $15,000 dollars or £11,848.

The Mirai is only sold in California for US customers

Toyota revealed in June last year that it would be promoting external sales of fuel cells using the Mirai's hydrogen units and hopes to receive offers for external sales of 100,000 units by 2030, most of them for commercial vehicles.

The Mirai model can refuel in under five minutes at a hydrogen station and can cover up to 400 miles on a single tank.

In 25 years of mass production, Toyota has sold more than 21 million electrified vehicles worldwide.

The Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can accelerate from zero to 62mph in nine seconds and has a top speed of 108mph.

Speaking at Toyota’s Kenshiki forum in 2020, Thiebault Paquet, director of the fuel cell business group, said: “The benefits of hydrogen are clear.

“That’s why we expect our global sales of fuel cell systems to increase by a factor of 10 in the short term, and why we have dramatically increased our production capacity.

“Toyota is leading the way with strong investment in the hydrogen society, through next generation vehicles, the opening of new markets and technology applications, in extra fuel cell production capacity and in our organisation here in Europe.”

Due to its hydrogen fuel cell, the car emits only water and through the use of a new electrostatic filter and removes almost 100 per cent of particulate matter from the air as it drives, Toyota detailed.

Mirai model can refuel in under five minutes at a hydrogen station

Toyota has been contacted by GB News for a comment.