Plans have been announced that will lead to zero-emissions taxis serving London by 2012.

A collaboration led by hydrogen fuel cell developer, Intelligent Energy, and including Lotus Engineering, London Taxis International (LTI) and TRW Conekt, will see a fleet of London cabs fitted out with zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell power systems.

The programme is part of the Government’s Technology Strategy Board recent allocation of funding of £23 million for 16 low carbon vehicle development programmes.

The taxis will able to operate for a full day without refuelling.

They will be capable of achieving speeds of up to 75mph.

The vehicles will top up their hydrogen tanks at central depots.

“Fuel cell vehicles offer considerable well-to-wheel emissions savings, and produce no pollution at the tail-pipe,” said chief executive officer at Intelligent Energy, Henri Winand.

“This project is central to our plans to supply zero emissions power systems to the automotive market.”