Autogas's LPG powered TX2 taxi is facing a final 10,000 mile technology assessment on London streets in order to prove its worth as a low-emission alternative to the diesel models currently in operation. If successful, many of the Capital's iconic black taxis will be converted from highly-polluting diesel to operate on cleaner LPG in an effort to reduce NOx emissions and improve air quality. The new General Motors sourced, two-litre LPG engine's mapping mimics the original diesel's performance, providing drivers with familiar handling while reducing harmful emissions by 80%.
The assessment will see the vehicle driven 10,000 miles on the streets of London, recreating the typical conditions and drive cycles it would see when in service. To accomplish this, the taxi will run double-shifted and around the clock, though it will not carry any fee-paying passengers during the trial.
Paul Oxford, business development manager at Autogas Limited, said: 'London, like many other cities and towns across the UK, has a major air quality problem, largely as a result of NOx emissions and particulate matter from diesel vehicles. Giving taxi drivers an immediate and viable opportunity to switch to a fuel source that is much cleaner than diesel will not only help improve local air quality, but it will also extend the usable life of their cab for another five years and save them around £200 a month in fuel costs, so it really is a win-win situation for everyone. 'If successful, London will follow the lead of Birmingham who has already introduced more than 60 LPG powered taxis onto its streets in a bid to clean up air quality.'
After the 10,000 mile assessment is finished, the taxi will return to MIRA for testing and final approval before it is made available to London's taxi drivers.
