Hydrogen-powered taxi launched in Aberdeen

The first hydrogen-powered taxi has been launched in Aberdeen and will run a one-year trial.

The Hyundai ix35 - which has a range of 326 miles - was granted a private hire taxi last month by the council.

It will be run by Aberdeen Taxis and will form part of the Aberdeen Region Hydrogen Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025 which plans to trial a range of vehicles with different users across the region.

Refuelling takes around three minutes and is expected to cost half as much as it takes to run a petrol or diesel model.

Currently, there are already ten hydrogen buses operating in Aberdeen, but this will be the first taxi.

Also, nine hydrogen cars and four vans are operated in Aberdeen by the city council, NHS, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and social enterprise organisation, Scarf.

Councillor Yvonne Allan, Aberdeen City Council’s Communities, housing and infrastructure convener, said: “The car, which emits only water vapour, is zero emission and can play a part in improving the air quality of our city.

“As the first city in Scotland to have its own hydrogen taxi this is an exciting opportunity for Aberdeen. Use of this vehicle as a private hire taxi will also allow citizens of Aberdeen the opportunity to travel in a hydrogen vehicle and broaden the understanding of the technology.”

The hydrogen taxi was funded by Transport Scotland.

Scottish government transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “I’m delighted that Scotland’s first hydrogen taxi will be transporting customers in Aberdeen and showcasing the benefits that ultra-low emission hydrogen vehicles can bring.

“Hydrogen fuelled vehicles play an important role in improving air quality and complements our vision for electric vehicles. This announcement reflects our ambitions through the Programme for Government to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032.”

*Photo courtesy of Aberdeen City Council