November 17, 2023
Berlin is a city on a mission to pioneer transformative change for passenger transport. In a unique commercial collaboration, a taxi fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) is powerfully demonstrating the everyday suitability and environmental benefits of hydrogen-powered vehicles to the public, businesses and policymakers.
Since the end of 2022, a fleet of 115 Toyota Mirai FCEVs has been busy driving through the German capital. The result? Every single passenger trip in the Toyota Mirai fleet is a zero emissions journey: the only tailpipe product is harmless water vapor.
Two million kilometres, 150,000 journeys
Almost a year on, the ‘H2 Moves Berlin’ project has already covered over two million kilometres and completed over 150,000 customer journeys. The H2 Moves Berlin project unites Toyota Germany, Anglo American and the SafeDriver Group-ENNOO. By creating Germany’s largest-ever hydrogen commercial passenger fleet, the stakeholders aim to prove the everyday suitability of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Creative collaboration
Platinum is an essential catalyst in hydrogen fuel cells. As a leading primary producer of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), Anglo American is committed to finding and nurturing new uses for precious metals. Through creative commercial collaborations with customers and partners, the company seeks to advance the development of technology that can help to enable widespread deployment of hydrogen-fueled mobility.
“Hydrogen fuel cells are a key technology for emissions-free electric vehicles, which we need to drive the decarbonisation of transport,” says Benny Oeyen, Executive Head of Market Development, Platinum Group Metals, at Anglo American. “As a leading producer of fuel cell-enabling platinum, we are committed to supporting the adoption of hydrogen-fueled mobility solutions across the entire industry. We believe that FCEVs are particularly well suited to vehicle fleets, such as taxis and buses, as well as to heavy duty trucks that require the range and rapid refueling times without the weight of batteries. At the same time, they offer relief on pressured battery minerals supply chains and hence contribute to the stability and sustainability of supply. We have been an early supporter of the potential for a hydrogen economy and will continue to actively support the emerging ecosystem of hydrogen transport in Germany, and beyond,” he says.
Pioneering electrification: the Toyota Mirai FCEV fleet
For over 25 years, since the first Toyota Prius petrol-hybrid electric vehicle in 1997, Toyota has pioneered advanced electrified vehicle technologies. To date, over 24 million electrified Toyotas are on the road and have saved more than 160 million tonnes of CO2 emissions worldwide. In 2014, the launch of the first-generation Toyota Mirai heralded the arrival of the world’s first mass-market hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, demonstrating the global potential of using hydrogen to power clean and sustainable mobility.
Each Mirai’s fuel cell powerplant converts hydrogen into electrical energy that drives a 130 kW/182 hp electric motor. The cars provide CO2 and pollution-free motoring, combining long ranges with short refueling times. The Mirai has a range of up to 650 kilometers before a refueling stop at a hydrogen filling station is required. Taking around five minutes, the refueling time is not significantly longer than that of vehicles with internal combustion engines.
“H2 Moves Berlin opens a new chapter for emission-free mobility with hydrogen,” adds André Schmidt, President of Toyota Germany. “With this pilot project, we are not only expanding the range of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles in Berlin, but also demonstrating how suitable and efficient models like the Toyota Mirai are for everyday use, especially in commercial passenger transportation. H2 Moves Berlin proves that alternative drivetrains and everyday use go hand in hand. I’m delighted that Toyota can contribute to this flagship project,” he says.
Berlin: A showcase for city-wide hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
In Berlin, hydrogen has the support of industry, academia, and government, with a well implemented structure to accelerate the development and adoption of fuel cell and hydrogen technology. Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy, released in 2020 and updated in 2023, provides a coherent framework for the generation, transport and use of hydrogen, encouraging the relevant innovations and investment needed to ensure hydrogen’s viability, and for the country to position itself as a global frontrunner in the hydrogen space.
“Our passengers are already enthusiastic about the sustainable and comfortable mobility experience with hydrogen,” says Thomas Mohnke, Senior Executive Partner of the SafeDriver Group. “The drivers appreciate the combination of the driving performance of an electric car with the range and refueling speed of a combustion engine. As a fleet operator looking to minimise cars’ downtime while delivering zero emission mobility, hydrogen electric vehicles simply make sense.”
The Toyota Mirai taxis in Berlin can be booked via the Uber app by selecting the option “Comfort Electric – Premium Hydrogen / Electric Vehicles”. More information about H2 Moves Berlin is available here.
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