Microcab: An Urban Zero-Emissions Taxi Cab
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 06.27.07
We’ve covered outlandish looking micro-cars before, such as George Clooney’s Tango or the leans-like-a-motorbike Naro, for example. Now we’ve found another intriguing concept, the hydrogen powered Microcab, a low-speed (30mph) urban taxi vehicle with zero emissions (at the tailpipe at least):
“The Microcab is the product of innovative thinking by entrepreneur John Jostins. For many years he has visualised a small, urban vehicle with zero emissions suitable for use as a taxi or light freight carrier. The result is a vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, pollution free and virtually silent in operation. The only emission is water vapour.”
And unlike some concepts that are out there, this one has a real-world presence. A prototype recently took part in the Revolve: Brighton to London eco-car rally, which was attended by the Prince of Wales. ::Microcab::
"Innovative"? Hardly, this design has been in use in India for the last 30 years, although, they use petrol. Copying the same design then changing the engine to a hydro-powered system is not really creative, but an upgrade really.
I know of two countries which have similar vehicles: India's Bajaj Auto makes a motorized three wheeler called auto-rickshaw and has market monopoly. There are similar, but larger, tuk-tuks in Bangkok, and presumably the rest of thailand. I believe those Indian auto-rickshaws can also be seen on the streets of London.
I guess the real innovation here is zero-emission. Why did he have to couple a form-factor (the three-wheeled auto vehicle) with it only he knows.
an interesting issue is how the design choices would benefit taxi companies.
is 1 seat cab is good enough for a cab company?
can building a green cab business using this cars and toyotas would be liked by customers , and could be used by the cab company to enlarge profitability ?
and what is the price of the vehcile relative to a normal cab , and a prius or fuel efficent cab?
if the answers are right( and i believe the company who designed this car thought about them) , this could mean a new type of a cab company - green cab company.
if so , this would certainly be an interesting market to watch developing.
As one of the organisers of the Revolve: Brighton to London eco-rally, I'd just like to clarify a few points. The Micro:Cab prototype on display at the finish line of our rally (and seen by Prince Charles at Hampton Court Palace) is the H4. A completely original four-wheeled car designed in conjunction with Coventry Unversity students.
In response to Irvine Dude's comments about a new type of cab company. we already use one. It's called Green Tomato Cars and they use Toyota Prius hybrids and offset their carbon emissions through tree-planting. They cover West London and the City.