The idea of alternate-powered vehicles, such as electric or hydrogen powered engines, sounds like an idea of the future. However, the future is now. Toyota has officially announced the release of the Toyota Mirai, one of the first hydrogen-powered cars to be sold to drivers in 2016. The Mirai directly translates from Japanese meaning “future.” Although the thought of a powered fuel-cell that takes compressed hydrogen gas and air and converts it to electricity may seem ahead of its time and innovative, it is actually a simple process.

This zero-emission car is not the first of its kind, with makers such as Hyundai, Tesla and Honda using similar concepts. According to Forbes.com, Hyundai has tested and sold 60 of their hydrogen-powered Tuscan’s in California over the past year. What makes the Toyota Mirai so revolutionary, is the fact that it will be sold nationwide, not just in California.

The Mirai takes natural hydrogen found in plants and water and combines it with the air coming in from the three large vents, according to Toyota. Once the air comes in naturally while driving, a battery within the car charges itself to perform tasks like any other vehicle. The only exception that separates this hydrogen-powered car from a gasoline-fueled car, is that the Mirai will be fueled at hydrogen stations. It will take approximately five minutes to fill the Mirai, from empty to full, and should cost approximately the same price as gasoline.

At the first drive press event for the Mirai, Toyota announced its partnership with  Air Liquide to build 12 hydrogen stations. Most likely these stations will be across the northeast, including states such as New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. According to digitaltrends.com, FirstElement Fuel, another hydrogen company, plans to build 19 hydrogen stations in the near future and approximately 100 in California alone by 2024.

The Toyota Mirai gets 153 HP, with 247 Lb.-Ft torque. According to Wayne Cunningham from Cnet.com, “Toyota puts out a figure of 9 seconds to get the Mirai to 60 mph, but I found no want for acceleration when driving in a suburban setting.” On average, a tank of hydrogen will last approximately 300 miles, or equivalent to 50 mpg. The expected price will be $57,500 MSRP, or able to lease for $499 a month according to Toyota itself.