In November 2014, Toyota held a major media event for a group of 60 international journalists to announce the fall 2015 California availability of its highly anticipated Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Traveling up to 300 miles on a tank of hydrogen fuel, it will be one of the most advanced vehicles available for sale or lease.

During the event which was held in Newport Beach, California, NFCRC Director Scott Samuelsen moderated a panel discussion by representatives from the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewables, the California Air Resources Board, and Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S., LLC. The discussion was designed to provide a non-Toyota perspective on the evolution and future of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, as well as the state of hydrogen infrastructure. Professor Samuelsen also participated in a roundtable discussion on the operation and design characteristics of the Mirai, and the implementation of the hydrogen fueling infrastructure for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles. The National Fuel Cell Research Center also helped support a ride-and-drive event for the media attendees, by demonstrating the refueling process for the Mirai at the Orange County Sanitation District Hydrogen fueling station in Fountain Valley California.