Parisian hydrogen-powered taxi fleet reaches 100 vehicles; targeting 600 by 2020
13 July 2018
The hydrogen-powered taxi fleet called “Hype”, launched at the end of 2015 by French start-up STEP (Société du Taxi Electrique Parisien) in partnership with Air Liquide, has reached the 100-taxi landmark after a new delivery of cars by Toyota.
Hype’s founder, Mathieu Gardies, received the keys to 25 new hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai cars from the CEO of Toyota France, Didier Gambart, in the presence of Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation, Didier Leroy, as well as the CEO of Air Liquide, Benoît Potier; and Director and member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee, François Darchis, in front of the Paris La Défense Arena.
This delivery is a new stage in the deployment of the world’s first hydrogen-powered taxi fleet, which will compridse 600 vehicles by the end of 2020. Air Liquide continues to support the growth of the “Hype” fleet by building up the necessary network of hydrogen refueling stations.
Taxis are an ideal application for FCEVs.
The driver does not need to take time out to recharge as in a BEV, they do not lose range in the cold or in hot weather staying cool to any significant extent, and the Mirai is proving that it matches or exceeds Toyota's great reliability record.
They can cope with the limited hydrogen infrastructure.
Posted by: Davemart | 13 July 2018 at 03:12 AM
Excellent news for wider FCEVs deployment.
It seems that Toyota was right one more time! The Mirai may be as reliable as other Toyota (Crown) and Toyota Prius taxis vehicles. Those 600 FCEVs will help to reduce pollution and GHG in city cores..
Posted by: HarveyD | 13 July 2018 at 05:24 AM