The first 2016 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car in the U.S. was delivered to its owner November 9.

The car was delivered at Roseville Toyota, north of Sacramento, one of eight California dealers that will sell the Mirai initially.

The keys went to Glenn Rambach, a 70-year-old engineer specializing in--what else?--hydrogen fuel cells.

DON'T MISS: 2016 Toyota Mirai: First Drive Of Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Sedan (Dec 2014)

Toyota previously said it would choose the first batch of Mirai drivers based on proximity to fueling stations and other parameters meant to determine whether an applicant is a good fit for the car.

Rambach has been working on hydrogen fuel-cell technology since 1973, Toyota says, and developed a keen interest in it in the process.

He's actually assisting in the development of a hydrogen-fueling site in Rohnert Park, California, that will "someday" be able to use solar or geyser power to produce hydrogen, he told PC World (via InsideEVs).

2016 Toyota Mirai U.S. arrival

2016 Toyota Mirai U.S. arrival

Now that he has a hydrogen fuel-cell car of his own, Rambach will likely feel the need to expand fueling infrastructure even more acutely.

His Mirai reportedly arrived at Roseville Toyota with only half a tank of hydrogen--presumably because of the lack of fueling stations nearby.

MORE: Full-Retail Hydrogen Stations Now Coming Online In California

The dealer is expected to get its own mobile fueling station, and there are about 50 stations in California planned, under construction, or in operation, according to a recent report by the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

Toyota plans to deliver the rest of the 1,000 Mirai sedans allocated for the U.S. this year over the next 12 months.

2016 Toyota Mirai U.S. arrival

2016 Toyota Mirai U.S. arrival

All cars are built in Japan, at the low-volume Motomachi plant that previously built the Lexus LFA supercar.

In the U.S., the Mirai is priced from $57,500, but Toyota thinks the majority of drivers will lease, rather than buy.

It expects nine out of 10 customers to opt for the $499 monthly lease, which comes with a $3,469 down payment.

Toyota hopes to deliver 3,000 Mirai sedans in the U.S. by the end of 2017.

[hat tip: Teng Yang]

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