The Fuel Cell Black Cab is powered by an Intelligent Energy hydrogen fuel cell system hybridized with lithium polymer batteries that allows the vehicle to operate for a full day without the need for refueling.
The companies said that it is also capable of achieving a top speed of over 80mph and has a range of more than 250 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, refuels in about five minutes and produces no emissions other than water vapor.
Later this year, Transport for London will start operating five hydrogen-fuel cell buses, while the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has committed to working with manufacturers to make all taxis operating in London zero tail-pipe emissions by 2020.
For the Fuel Cell Black Cab, Lotus Engineering has packaged the full propulsion system including the fuel cell engine and has designed control systems to optimize performance of both the fuel cells and electric drive systems.
TRW Conekt led the safety analysis program, including braking and steering systems, and LTI has provided donor vehicles to assist with the structural modifications to the chassis of the taxis.
