Schwarzenegger helps terminate London’s CO2 emissions

Arnold Schwarzenegger was among the celebrities to ride in London's new fleet of hydrogen fuel cell powered taxis during the Olympic and Paralympic games.


The five taxis, fuelled by the capital’s second hydrogen fuelling station at Heathrow airport, transported 40 visiting dignitaries and VIP guests of the Greater London Authority during the games.

Other than Mr Schwarzenegger, high-profile passengers included Barbara Windsor and the city’s Mayor, Boris Johnson.

The fleet, provided by the Hydrogen Transport for European Cities (HyTEC) project, is the latest addition to the developing London hydrogen network and will connect up with the Lea Interchange fuelling station already in operation in the city and support London’s hydrogen bus fleet.

The vehicles, which have totalled 2500 miles, and refuelling site form part of the Mayor’s vision to promote innovative zero and low emission technologies in the capital to clean London’s air and tackle pollution.

London already boasts the UK’s only zero-emission bus route running with a fleet of five hydrogen buses.

HyTEC Project coordinator and European business manager, Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products, Diana Raine, said: “It has been very satisfying to see the hydrogen taxis completing such a successful trial during the Olympics and Paralympics.

“We have shown to Londoners that it is possible to run a fleet of fuel-cell electric taxis in the capital with zero local emissions and providing cleaner air for London and Londoners”.

Leigh Stringer

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