Skip to content

SciTech

Zero Emission Taxis to be Tested for Olympics 2012

by Julian Jackson 15 Apr 2011
Zero Emission Taxis to be Tested for Olympics 2012

Image: The Fuel Cell taxi in central London with the London Eye in the background.

A consortium of innovative companies have created a pair of prototype zero emission fuel cell London taxis - the famous 'Black Cabs' that carry passengers around London. Though looking exactly like the familiar taxis - they are conversions, underneath the hood they have an electric motor powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and batteries, and besides emitting no carbon while they zoom round London, have been praised for a superior, silent ride and improved performance over the diesel engine that powers the rest of London's 22,000 taxis.

The two prototypes which have been certified as road-legal have done about 8000 miles of testing on track and street. They are to be part of a fleet of 15 which will ferry Olympians, VIPs and guests around London during the 2012 Olympic Games. Essentially this is to road test the vehicles, and after the games the vehicles are expected to be available to paying passengers as part of the public transport network.

The zero emission taxis have been developed by a consortium led by Intelligent Energy, which includes Lotus Engineering, London Taxis International and TRW Conekt with part-funding from the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board. The fuel cell and battery-powered hybrid taxi has a 250 mile driving range with rapid refuelling, with a top speed of 85 mph, all within the confines of the body of a conventional London taxi. Dennis Hayter, VP of Business Development for Intelligent Energy says, ''The electric power train is very quiet and because of its greater efficiency and the weight reduction, the taxi gives a smooth acceleration to 60 mph which is much swifter than its diesel counterparts. There is an all-round improved passenger experience, and no reduction in luggage capacity.'' Because it has fewer moving parts the taxi is expected to have lower maintenance and running costs than a conventional one, while retailing at approximately the same price, which will incentivise taxi companies to buy the new vehicle.

The fuel cell taxi in front of Big Ben

But the taxis will need hydrogen fuelling stations. Already there is one for hybrid buses, and the taxis will be able to use that. Two more are being implemented and it is hoped to have six available in time for the Olympics. Hayter says that it is projected London would need 28-34 if all of London's taxis converted to hydrogen fuel cell operation. The hydrogen is supplied in liquid form, but is gaseous in the storage tanks and thus is stable with little evaporation ''boil-off''. Refuelling takes 3 minutes, which is approximately the same duration as any other similar car.

A skeleton view of the taxi

The export potential of the fuel cell vehicle looks promising. Already Intelligent Energy have had interest from the municipalities of New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. If the taxis are successful in London, then they are likely to be in demand all over the world. Hayter continues, ''We took a decision to use a 2 ½ ton taxi to test the concept. We have shown that the fuel cell power train can work in a vehicle of this weight, and so it has all sorts of other applications: small vans and other commercial vehicles, and hybrid minibuses. We can build on the knowledge we have gained and will be testing and modifying it during the next few years so we expect that our improved version of commercial hybrid taxis will be on the streets of London by 2016.''

Photos: courtesy Intelligent EnergyLink: Intelligent Energy.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping