LPG-electric hybrid taxis – convenient transport for cleaner cities
Autogas is a common alternative fuel in the transport sector. Vehicles running on LPG produce far fewer harmful emissions such as NOx and particulates that contribute to environmental and health problems. The hybridisation of Autogas vehicles combines the benefits of electricity together with a longer range provided by a cleaner fuel. This technology is particularly suitable for taxis in urban areas, contributing to cleaner, more sustainable public transportation in cities.
13CABS in Melbourne, Australia, has equipped its Toyota Camry Hybrid taxis with state-of-the- art sequential vapor injection LPG systems. Both passenger and driver friendly, the Toyota Camry Hybrid integrates the high torque of a batterypowered electric motor with the power of a combustion engine.
Results have included payback on conversion of six months, fuel cost savings of up to 45% compared to the gasolinepowered Camry Hybrid, and CO2 emission reductions by approximately 3.45 tonnes per vehicle. Said Greg Hardeman, Fleet Operations Manager for 13CABS, “While the Toyota Camry Hybrid with its petro-electric drive is already one of the most economical cars in the market, with a tri-fuel system using LPG, the vehicle delivers even more environmental and cost benefits.”
In Tokyo, Japan, the JPN taxi was launched in October 2017. This LPG-electric hybrid taxi was designed to provide usability and comfort to a people across all age groups, as well as wheelchair users. In terms of environmental and power performance, the Toyota JPN taxi offers an LPG hybrid system with 19.4 km/liter fuel economy and sharply reduced CO2 emissions. The city of Tokyo plans to use the JPN Taxi to greet visitors from around the world in 2020, when Tokyo hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
LPG vehicles produce three times fewer NOx emissions than cars run on gasoline, and 93 times fewer than diesel cars. The South Korean government expects nearly US$317 million to be saved in environmental costs by 2030 through the reduction in emissions, given the expected increase in LPG vehicles15.