A taxi fleet of five Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell electric taxis run by Société du Taxi Electrique Parisien is about to grow by 60 and will soon reach hundreds.
Hyundai’s latest pitch for ‘Green’ motoring has focussed around the new Ioniq and its choice of Hybrid, plug-in hybrid or BEV powertrains.
But even if it looks like Hyundai are playing the BEV game, despite eschewing it back in 2011, that’s because they really have no choice but to pursue what others are pursuing, even if the core belief in BEVs is missing. A bit like Toyota, really.
But alongside the Ioniq BEV and hybrids, Hyundai are still producing the world’s first mass-produced, commercially available hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle in the Hyundai ix35 FCEV, and we’re about to see a chunk more on the roads of Paris.
The world’s largest FCEV taxi fleet currently consist of five ix35 FCEVs run by Société du Taxi Electrique Parisien (STEP ) in Paris, but at the opening of a new hydrogen refuelling centre at Hyundai’s European HQ in Germany an MOU has been signed to deliver a further 60 ix35 FCEVs as Paris taxis.
Thomas A. Schmid, Hyundai’s COO in Europe, said:
STEP and Hyundai Motor have committed to bring 60 additional ix35 Fuel Cell taxis to the streets of Paris. Not only will the fuel cell taxis provide a clean transportation solution for the city, they are also a practical, comfortable and reliable choice for drivers and passengers.
It’s a drop in the ocean of replacing the 17,000 predominantly diesel taxis roaming Paris streets in search of a fare, but even if you’re sceptical about the amount of damage CO2 does, you can’t deny it’s good to get rid of particulates from the atmosphere in cities produced by diesel-engined transport.
Paradoxically, despite long believing hydrogen power is the future, we’ve long believed the best place for BEVs is as taxis in city environments.
Editorial Comment, From Gerald Coba
So, is this a vehicle that could save the Taxi trade?
No wheelchair accommodation !
But then, TfLs two wheelchair using board members seem to be quit happy to see no considerate wheelchair access to a fully pedestrianised Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.
Dr Alice Maynard CBE and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE.
In fact, when Taxi Leaks asked , Tanni Grey-Thompson to support a campaign against pedestrianisation, she said "well I have no trouble getting about Westfield and don't need to be dropped right outside each shop entrance". Nice words, from an ex-Olympian Tanni ! Unfortunately not every wheelchair user is an Olympic athlete.
Only holds 4 passengers....hasn't put people off getting in a Prius !
No 25ft turning circle but with more and more no U-turn signs going up, perhaps the fact we could turn on a sixpence should be consigned to the past.
Having a hydrogen fuel cell zero emission vehicle has the added advantage of not having to queue up to connect to one of TfL board member Michael Liebreich's fast charging stations.
It's may not be an iconic shape, but having an iconic shape is currently doing us no favours.
We are a dying trade, and our iconic Taxi is not saving us, as passengers are deserting us in huge numbers for Prius'
They don't care about icons
They don't care about personal safety
They don't care that the driver has no clue where he's going
They don't care about background checks
They don't care about drivers mental health
They don't care about the horrendous number of passenger sexual assaults and rapes.
Now for the answer to most drivers question
How much ?
Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell.
Price £53,105 OTR; Engine 100kW fuel cell stack & 24kW hybrid battery; Power 100kW (134bhp); Torque 221lb ft; 0-62mph 12.5sec; Top speed 100mph; Range 369 miles; Gearbox single-speed automatic; Kerb weight 1830kg; CO2 zero.
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