Toyota is partnering with the city of Bradford in the UK to introduce its hydrogen-electric vehicle, the Mirai, as a commercial taxi. The move aims to reduce carbon emissions in urban areas and expand hydrogen-based eco-friendly transportation infrastructure while strengthening Toyota’s presence in the UK’s hydrogen vehicle market.
According to local media and the Bradford Council on the 9th, Toyota is collaborating with the Bradford City Council in West Yorkshire, UK, to launch a pilot project for hydrogen taxis. The plan involves deploying the hydrogen-electric Mirai as a commercial taxi for trial operations. This initiative is part of Bradford’s strategy to introduce sustainable transportation options. The goal is to attract as much attention as the iconic UK ‘Black Cab’ while promoting greener alternatives.
Alongside the pilot project, Bradford is also pushing forward with the construction of a hydrogen refueling station at ‘Bowling Back Lane,’ a former gas storage site. The station is expected to have a daily production capacity of up to 12.5 tons of hydrogen. The project is anticipated to generate an economic impact of around $160 million and create up to 125 jobs for the local economy.
Bradford has already been accelerating its shift toward electric taxis. So far, around 520 taxis have been converted to electric vehicles, with plans to expand this number to 800—the highest level outside London in the UK.
The Mirai is a zero-emission vehicle that generates electricity using a hydrogen fuel cell. It is not only environmentally friendly but also praised for its short refueling time and long driving range, making it well-suited for commercial transport, including taxis.
Toyota has been ramping up its hydrogen taxi initiatives worldwide. In 2019, the company pursued supplying 500 Mirai hydrogen taxis in Paris, France, and in 2023, it deployed the Mirai in Hamburg, Germany.
An industry insider commented, “The UK is accelerating its transition to hydrogen mobility to achieve carbon neutrality goals. Toyota’s introduction of the Mirai as a commercial taxi could serve as a catalyst for expanding hydrogen vehicle adoption.”
