In a bid to 'get rid of gasoline' Toyota makes history with first hydrogen-powered retail car - Coming to a dealer near you in 2015!

Toyota is making automotive history by selling a car powered by hydrogen. Sales in Japan began on Dec. 15, and will begin in the USA in 2015. Running off electricity created by hydrogen fuel cells and emitting only water, the car could revolutionize driving as well as help improve the environment.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The futuristic-looking Mirai takes in air through the front grill, and passing it through hydrogen fuel cells, creates electricity. With a range of 300 miles, it does better than most electric cars emerging into the market today and it is much more environmentally friendly than any other vehicle.

The car emits no smog. There's no global warming to be found here. The vehicle is quiet and accelerates faster than most hybrids.

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Toyota was seen as taking a major risk with the Prius, its first hybrid gasoline-electric car. That risk paid off and Toyota has sold millions of the economical vehicles.

The car is even capable of providing electric power from its fuel cells to power the typical Japanese home for a week. It's perfect for millions of people who live in one of the world's most active earthquake zones.

Fuel cells are not a new technology. Pioneered in the 1960s, they have been used in space. However, no other company has a hydrogen fuel cell model rolling off assembly lines anywhere. To replace the cells will require more investment and infrastructure from the outside, which may not be forthcoming. So while you may want to drive a hydrogen fuel-cell powered car, you might not be able to refuel it.

However, if the support emerges, then the car could definitely be a hit, especially in places like smog-hit California which is inundated with the fumes of car exhaust. Cars which emit no pollution could be a game changer for California, and the environmentally conscious state could be expected to support sales and infrastructure through a variety of incentives.

Other auto makers are banking on electric and hybrid vehicles with more and more models on the horizon.

All this is taking place at the same time gas prices are plunging to historic lows. Many fear the low gas prices could undermine the sale of hybrids and electrics, which are often priced at a premium because of their popularity. Low gas prices means a shift to economical gasoline-powered vehicles and to larger gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs.

While the Mirai might be a wonderful car, its timing could be wrong given the infrastructure and economic environment. It is however, the right car for the future and sales are expected to be sufficient to encourage further development of subsequent models.

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