London Unveils TX4 Taxicab: Fuel-Cell Powered Vehicle for 2012 Olympic Games

The London Olympic games are quickly approaching. Sure the games might be nearly two years away, but the city is hard at work making an effort towards going green. It was reported by me a few months ago that the city was developing a hydrogen highway to show their support towards a cleaner environment. Luckily, I was able to learn of their latest accomplishment: a fleet of zero emission fuel cell-powered taxicabs. A few of us were invited to see the unveiling in person and here is my review.

Lotus Engineering has been working together with a huge variety of different engineering companies from around the world. They have been working together with the sole purpose of designing and creating these unique taxicabs. Several of us gathered together at London's city hall to watch Lotus Engineering unveil their first prototype of the taxicabs. Let me tell you that I was amazed by the sleek and shiny design of this vehicle and could see it becoming a regular vehicle for sale someday in the future.

The best way to describe the TX4 cab is that it is a classic van design. However, this is not your mother's ordinary minivan. No soccer moms will be driving this vehicle around. It is going to be outfitted with a fuel cell electric powertrain that has the range of 250 miles. This means that it can go 250 miles before it needs to be recharged. Another cool aspect of the TX4 cab is that it can reach a top speed of 50 miles per hour. This is quite the accomplishment when it comes to fuel-cell oriented vehicles. Consumers normally complain that they do not go fast enough, but it appears the Lotus engineering has solved the problem.

They also showed us how easy it is to for the cab drivers to refill the hydrogen tank. The tank can be refilled in as easy as five minutes via a network of hydrogen filling stations that will be placed all around London. Plans were also unveiled that showed that the entire fleet will be completed just in time for the 2012 Olympic games. Currently, the project is being funded by $6 million that was donated via a grant. There will be more cash needed to create the fleet and the city plans to pay it from the Olympic budget.

Words can not describe how excited the people in London are when it comes to the hydrogen highway and these new fuel-cell taxis. It is great to know that a country is taking a premier event like the Olympics to showcase that they do care about the environment and that we all should as well. They will become the leading city in being green and should be applauded for their efforts. The TX4 cab is amazing.

Source:

Steven Mottor, My Own Review, 2010

*Note: I was on vacation in London when I was invited to see the unveiling.