Hyundai Motor has delivered five ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles to the Paris-based electric taxi start-up STEP (Société du Taxi Electrique Parisien).

The handover coincides with the opening of the first hydrogen refuelling station in Paris and makes STEP the world’s largest fuel cell taxi fleet.

It is the first step in establishing a hydrogen-powered electric taxi fleet called 'hype' (hydrogen powered electric), serving the Greater Paris area.

The fleet is planned to increase up to several hundred vehicles within five years, with the refuelling infrastructure to be gradually installed in 2016, to meet the increasing demand for hydrogen.

Thomas A. Schmid, chief operating officer at Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “With this pioneering project, Hyundai Motor and STEP are bringing new sustainable mobility to the streets of Paris.

"The ix35 Fuel Cell taxis will provide not only a clean solution for the city, but also a practical, comfortable and reliable choice for drivers and passengers.”

Compared to a diesel-powered taxi with CO₂ emissions of 135g/km and an annual mileage of 62,000 miles, the ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles will save around 70 tonnes of CO2 per year in exhaust emissions.

The only emissions from the tailpipe of the ix35 Fuel Cell during driving are water vapour.

This latest delivery of fuel cell electric vehicles means the number of ix35 Fuel Cell on European roads has passed 250 units.