Canada's 1st fleet of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles coming to Quebec this year

The Quebec government is purchasing a fleet of 50 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles the first such vehicles in Canada, which Toyota expectsto deliver to the province in the coming year.

The Toyota Mirai will be on display when the 75thMontreal Auto Show begins today.

The eco-friendly Miraicreateselectricity without combustion, and the only by-product is water.

Quebec Energy Minister Pierre Moreausaid the province is an ideal place for the technology, because Quebec's cheap and clean hydroelectricity could be harnessed to produce liquid hydrogen.

"Quebec is well positioned to become a world leader in terms of energy transition," Moreau said Thursday.

"This challenge cannot be solved alone; it's by building strategic partnerships with companies like Toyota."

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TheMiraican travel as far as 500 kilometres on a single tank, and unlike electric cars, itonly needs five minutes to charge. It's also reliable in even the coldest conditions.

However, the new technology doesn't comecheap: In California, the Miraisells for $57,000 US, minus rebates. Toyota Canada hasn't yet said what the vehicle will cost here or when it will be available for purchase to regular motorists.

Only 2 fuelling stations

One drawbackis that the infrastructureisn't yet in placeto support the hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Only two privately owned fuelling stations exist for these cars in Quebecone on the South Shore and the otherin Trois-Rivires.

The province plans to open two more stations to produce and distribute hydrogen fuel onein Montreal andanother in Quebec City and to test the vehicles as part of a pilot project.

"Working closely with the Qubec government and key stakeholders, we feel the time is right to put Mirai on the road in the province," said Martin Gilbert, spokesperson for Toyota Canada.

The auto show opens todayat Montreal's Palais des congrsand runs until Jan. 28.