11:29 am, March 15, 2018
THE METROPOLITAN Police Service has bought 11 hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirais, which will give it the largest hydrogen-powered police fleet in the world.
The cars were bought with help from an EU-funded grants programme as the Met works to expand the number of zero and low-emission vehicles in its fleet as part of the Mayor of London’s clean air strategy.
Some of the Mirais are marked and some unmarked, meaning they can be used for both overt and covert operations, in addition to general purpose use.
These zero-emission vehicles only produce water as a by-product of the fuel cell process, which turns hydrogen into electricity in order to power the car.
There are five hydrogen fuel filling stations in London, with more set to be installed over the next few months and years. One tank of hydrogen should be enough to power a Mirai for around 300 miles.
Neil Jerome, commander of the Metropolitan Police, said: “We are delighted to have taken delivery of 11 of these cars to support policing in London. They are our first entirely zero-emission response vehicles and this is an exciting development for us.
“The Met is committed, alongside the Mayor, to making the service as environmentally friendly as possible and a big part of that work is ensuring our fleet is green.
“Since late 2015, we have been actively looking at ways to hybridise and electrify our fleet as well as exploring other new technologies such as hydrogen. This is enabling us to make great strides towards our ambition of procuring 550 vehicles as zero- or ultra-low-emission by 2020.”
Shirley Rodrigues, deputy mayor for environment and energy, also commented: “It is fantastic to see the Met’s first ever zero-emission vehicles take to the streets of London.
“Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles have an important role to play in helping lower harmful emissions and improve air quality on our roads, and the Mayor’s Hydrogen London partnership is working to develop the use of this technology in the capital.
“The Mayor is determined to take the bold action needed to protect Londoners from our toxic air and this move highlights how the capital’s emergency services are leading by example and supporting his work towards becoming a zero-carbon city by 2050.”
Mark Roden, director of operations for Toyota GB, added: “We are delighted that the Met Police has added Mirai vehicles to its fleet.
“The distinctive livery of the Met’s marked cars means even more public visibility for hydrogen-powered cars in and around London.
“This is proof that organisations are seeing the future of hydrogen power for zero-emission fleets.”
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