Toyota Joins Mayor's London Hydrogen Partnership

LONDON – Marc 26, 2013: The development of a hydrogen economy in London will help support the Mayor’s ambitions to secure new jobs and investment whilst at the same time reducing environmental impact.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) are accepted by many as a viable long-term successor to today’s diesel and petrol passenger vehicles, with many major global automaker developing FCEV. Over the last few years the LHP has initiated over £50 million worth of hydrogen projects; attracting and rolling-out new hydrogen buses, taxis, scooters, refuelling stations, materials handling vehicles and fuel cell Combined Heat and Power units to London.

Deputy Mayor, Kit Malthouse, said: “We want Toyota and the London Hydrogen Partnership to develop a roadmap for fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen refuelling station rollout. Toyota will provide invaluable insights and bring global experience to the Mayor’s innovative ‘smart’ low carbon low emission transport activities. I welcome their commitment to London’s positive economic future”.

Graham Smith, Managing Director, Toyota Motor Europe, London Office commented:

“We are pleased to participate within the London Hydrogen Partnership and add our support to its ambitions to develop and enable clean, sustainable hydrogen fuel cell transport for the capital. Toyota believes this technology offers great potential for sustainable transport and will be among the first manufacturers to bring hydrogen-powered vehicles to the European market in 2015 where hydrogen supply infrastructure is in place.

“With the benefit of our extensive experience in fuel cell research and development as part of our mission to develop low carbon low emission transport, we aim to provide practical insights into how London might best encourage and benefit from hydrogen-powered transport.

“It is important that all interested parties, including vehicle manufacturers and government bodies, work together to help build a lower carbon society. The London Hydrogen Partnership provides an excellent forum for this, ensuring the benefits of fuel cell electric vehicles can be appreciated and realised through co-ordinated dialogue”.