- Collaboration between RentaCab, Shell, LeasePlan and Toyota Netherlands
- The more kilometers driven, the more clean air
- Taxi drivers only pay when using
- No charging challenges; refueling with hydrogen at Shell in Amsterdam
On hydrogen through Amsterdam. With this slogan, rental company RentaCab – which has a fleet of 100% electric taxi vehicles – is starting a six-month pilot in collaboration with Shell, LeasePlan and Toyota Netherlands. A Toyota Mirai is used to the maximum so that participating taxi drivers can use this hydrogen-electric car without fixed costs. The Toyota Mirai not only drives emission-free, it even filters the air while driving.
RentaCab was founded as an innovative taxi solution in Amsterdam. Initiator Gamis el Bouakili, director of TCS (Taxi Centrale Schiphol and SchipholTaxi) is thus leading the way in zero-emission mobility in the taxi industry. Hydrogen-electric taxis are a logical next step, according to Gamis. To make this possible, RentaCab, Toyota Nederland, LeasePlan and Shell work together, with each party contributing its own expertise. Toyota supplies the Mirai, LeasePlan provides financing and insures the car, and Shell provides green-certified hydrogen. The result is emission-free driving without straining the electricity grid and charging large battery packs.
The more miles, the more clean air
Unique to the Toyota Mirai is that this taxi filters the air in Amsterdam from harmful substances such as nitrogen (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and sulfur oxide (SO2) during every kilometer driven. This feature makes the taxi project even more innovative and sustainable.
Taxi drivers only pay for use
RentaCab’s unique business formula helps taxi drivers to practice their trade without investments and fixed costs. Since taxi drivers have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, paying them solely to use the taxi makes a huge difference to them – it’s basically carsharing. On top of this comes the sustainable aspect that one taxi for several drivers can be deployed much more efficiently and that fewer taxis are needed as a result.
Refuel at Shell in Amsterdam
With two new Shell public filling stations (Hoofddorp – along the A4 – and Amsterdam Westpoort), the supply of green-certified hydrogen is guaranteed. The Toyota Mirai can be supplied with hydrogen here in just three to five minutes, something that will play a major role in the outcome of the pilot.
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