Seoul Testing LPI Hybrids as Taxis
20 December 2009
The Seoul Metropolitan Government started a test-run of LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injection) hybrids from Hyundai-Kia Motors (earlier post) as taxis on 3 December.
The Korea National Joint Conference of Taxi Association will select participating taxi companies and support the monitoring of its operation. Hyundai-Kia Motors will monitoring and developing technologies, including analysis of vehicle components durability. The Korea LPG Association will support supply of fuel for the taxis, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Environment will provide administrative support.
A total of ten taxis are deployed across five taxi companies in Seoul; the companies were selected by the Korea National Joint Conference of Taxi Association.
Powered by an LPI Gamma engine displacing 1.6 liters; a 15 kW (105 N·m) pancake type Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor; and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the Elantra LPI HEV emits 99 g/km of CO2 and 90% fewer emissions than an equivalent standard gasoline-powered Elantra.
This is a good, if unremarkable development.
The cars should be very clean and the hybridization will make them economical to run in city stop/start driving.
10 taxis, however, is hardly pushing the boat out very far.
Posted by: mahonj | 21 December 2009 at 01:04 AM
Once this is proven to work, we may see many more units deployed. Companies want sure bets if they are going to put any real money into it. We may see taxi companies all over the world go to alternatives soon.
Posted by: SJC | 21 December 2009 at 11:16 AM
There wouldn't be a taxi in Sydney that doesn't run LPG,
but LPI is a new development and not yet available AFAIK.
Posted by: arnold | 21 December 2009 at 12:29 PM