INDUSTRYFEATURE

Today, taxi fleets have adapted to new ways to facilitate their operations. As technology continues to be the driving force behind the evolution of the taxi industry, taxi companies have already moved to end-to-end dispatch solutions that improve business efficiency and perations and facilitate local passengers to book taxis through the web, app and phone.

The systems are usually cloud-based and enable customers to book a taxi through a device, a QR code, a web browser or a mobile app and dispatch it to their location.

The system also allows taxi companies to monitor their fleet in real-time, tracking the driver location, fuel consumption, driver performance, and customer feedback, allowing them to optimise their fleet and provide better customer service. Taxi booking and dispatch systems are becoming more advanced than ever, with automation driven by advanced AI making it possible to almost fully automate booking and dispatch and making it easier for customers to book a taxi and for companies to manage fleets.

As Mark Twain says, “twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did”. Where do you think the industry is headed as we move with time and embrace the next big innovations that will impact the taxi industry?

ARTICLEBY: LAURENCEDOCHERTY, HEADOFSALESAT TAXIBUTLER

Hydrogen taxis are growing in numbers across Europe, but when can we expect the technology to reach UK shores?

The inconspicuous taxis are powered by hydrogen fuel cells that convert hydrogen gas into electricity to power an electric motor. Hydrogen taxis are seen as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petrol or diesel-powered taxis because they emit only water vapor and no harmful pollutants.

Last month the first hydrogen-powered taxis were licensed in the German city of Hamburg. The Toyota Mirai taxis were funded by the “Taxi of the Future” project.

In Madrid there is an aim to replace 1,000 combustion engine taxis with hydrogen models by 2026 which is expected to cost more than €100million.

Bart Biebuyck, Clean Hydrogen Partnership CEO, said: “Hydrogen is the ideal fuel for taxis because of the long -range, intensive use and short recharging time.”

There has also been a move to introduce hydrogen in France too. Hype, which operates the largest fleet of hydrogen-powered taxis in the world, is growing rapidly with 290 vehicles, and is expanding the fleet by placing a new order with Toyota for 388 Mirai 2 vehicles are increasing efforts to shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly options.

The fuel technology has proved to be safe and reliable, but the big challenge remains with the infrastructure. Without more fuelling stations covering more of the UK, it’s hard to see any spike in growth soon.

That said, the Government are still investing in hydrogen trials and research with the aim to transition to cleaner fuels.

Green Tomato Cars were one of the first private hire operators in the world to turn to hydrogen fuel. They currently offer a fleet of 50 hydrogen powered vehicles in the capital.

The adoption of hydrogen taxis in the UK is still limited due to factors such as high costs and limited infrastructure for refuelling hydrogen. As a result, most taxis still rely on traditional fossil fuels, although there

In December 2022, Toyota began leading a consortium to develop a prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of its Hilux pick-up at the company’s UK vehicle plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) successfully secured UK Government funding for the project through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), an organisation supporting the development of cleaner technologies and new mobility concepts.

The concept of hydrogen fuel in the taxi industry can still take off given the opportunity, but for now it remains a slow burner.

ServCity, the UK’s newest autonomous mobility service research project, has begun its testing phase on the streets of London. The aim of the project is to test the latest autonomous vehicle technologies and incorporate them into a complex urban environment.

The project is jointly funded by the Government and industry. The Government’s £100m Intelligent Mobility fund is administered by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and delivered by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Over the next three years, six partners will work together to develop a blueprint that aims to directly breakdown the barriers to deploying autonomous vehicles in the UK’s cities.

After months of development, simulation and testing on private test tracks, the ServCity project has now reached the stage where the ServCity Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) is being tested on the streets of London at the Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL) based in Greenwich.

Built upon a 100% electric Nissan LEAF, the ServCity CAV from October 21, will be put through its paces and tested in the heart of the capital. This project will likely set the tone and pace when it comes to autonomous vehicles and crucially, autonomous taxis in the UK.

This is an interesting question and answers to this will probably come sooner from cities abroad that have accelerated the move towards autonomous.

There’s no denying that autonomous vehicle technology is making progress. Whether it will reach ‘Level 5’ in the most densely populated cities without the need of a driver, the jury remains out.

In more controlled motoring environments, like on motorways or on low-speed shuttle runs, autonomy can definitely play a role in mobility. Haulage drivers and bus drivers are most likely to be more worried by