Hydrogen Hits the Roads

London’s Fuel Cell Taxi Fleet Confirmed Under New HyTEC Project

The Intelligent Energy/Lotus London hydrogen fuel cell black cabs are to be deployed under a new European consortium HyTEC – Hydrogen Transport for European Cities, which consists of sixteen companies from five European countries and is part-funded by the FCH JU. The deployment will consist of: one new Air Products refuelling station, fifteen black cabs and five Suzuki Bergmann scooters.

The new hydrogen station will be used in conjunction with the two existing stations used to service the fuel cell buses on the RV1 route, creating the foundation of a London hydrogen infrastructure. The fuel cell taxi, first announced in June 2010 has a top speed of over 80 mph and a range of more than 250 miles has received widespread press over the last year.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, comments ‘I want London to become a zero-emission city in order to deliver cleaner air and improve quality of life. It is important that London champions innovative new technologies to get us to this point, which is why I am delighted we are set to get even more hydrogen vehicles on our streets in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond. This supports my drive to promote the uptake of cleaner vehicles such as electric cars and the new fleet of hydrogen buses running in London, which is setting industry standards.’

The HyTEC consortium will also be installing a network of hydrogen stations in Copenhagen, Denmark. The sixteen companies the consortium holds are:

• Air Products Plc, UK
• Element Energy Ltd, UK
• HyER, Belgium
• LTI Vehicles, UK
• Centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies (CENEX), UK
• Greater London Authority, UK
• hySOLUTIONS GmbH, Germany
• MATGAS 2000 AIE,  Spain
• LBST, Germany
• Copenhagen Hydrogen Network, Denmark
• City of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Hydrogen Link, Denmark
• Intelligent Energy Ltd, UK
• BAA Ltd, UK
• London Bus Services Ltd (TfL), UK
• Fraunhofer, Germany

Further Reading »

Hannover Fair FCEV Drive and Ride refuelled by green hydrogen

The FCEV and EV Drive and Ride at the Hannover Fair is a big success: long lines, even in the rain, are forming the first days of the fair for test drives . The Fair with more than 5.000 exhibitors, over half foreign, has seen an increase of exhibitors of 8%.  ”Greenintelligence” has been the fair’s theme over recent years and the clean energy and clean transport showcases are also this year very prominent. The Drive and Ride includes the VW Tuareg HyMotion, Daimler FCELL,  Honda FCX Clarity and Toyota FCHV adv and Opel  HydroGen4, who is bringing 10 FCEV to the fair.

..read more Updated 25 Apr, 2012

Danish Government to launch hydrogen Infrastructure Program & continue FCEV tax exemptions throughout 2015

The Danish Government has announced a new Energy Plan 2020 that includes establishment of a range of initiatives for hydrogen infrastructure.

..read more Updated 23 Mar, 2012

Hydrogen 3-wheeler fleet launched in New Delhi

The first fleet in the world of hydrogen fuelled 3-wheelers or rickshaws was launched inNew Delhi. It is complemented by a hydrogen refueling station established at Pragati Maidan. 

..read more Updated 15 Mar, 2012