Cutting edge zero-emission vehicles to be delivered to London

London is to expand its fleet of zero-emission vehicles with an addition of 12 of the world’s most advanced hydrogen cars.

Manufacturer Toyota is will deliver 12 Mirai hydrogen powered vehicles to the UK capital, where four will be taken on by Transport for London to assist with essential engineering and maintenance work carried out between bus stops and Tube stations.

The remainder of the cars will be used by private hire fleets and businesses. Energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power are already on board with the scheme.

The cars form part of Mayor Boris Johnson’s campaign to make London a pioneer in clean, green transport and infrastructure technology.

Hydrogen powered vehicles emit only water vapour, and are on a par with conventional vehicles in terms of size, driving range, speed and refuelling time.

Hydrogen can be produced through a wide variety of renewable energy sources including solar and wind power. Hydrogen cars are exempt from Central London’s emission change, pay no road tax and no duty of fuel.

There are currently seven zero-emission cars in London, and this order, coupled with further cars expected from South Korean motor manufacturer Hyundai, will triple the city’s fleet.

Transport for London also runs eight hydrogen-powered buses and plans to grow this fleet to ten in 2016.

Johnson has said: “It is fantastic that London will benefit from these new state of-the-art hydrogen vehicles. By embracing this technology of the future, we aim to consolidate hydrogen’s role as a practical alternative fuel for the 21st century and beyond.”

London has been one of the earliest adopters of hydrogen vehicles.

Johnson has been heavily committed to developing the infrastructure required to support zero-emission transport.

London currently has several hydrogen refuelling stations, and through the HyFIVE project, a European-wide initiative led by the Mayor, more will be installed over the coming year. Johnson also plans to introduce the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone from 2020.