Societe already operates about 100 hydrogen-powered taxis under the Hype brand in Paris. Such models appeal to taxi and ride-hail drivers because they travel as far as petrol cars and take only three minutes to fill, just a fraction of the time needed to charge battery vehicles, Mr Gardies said in an interview.
While many carmakers are now spending vast sums to develop battery vehicles, Toyota is one of just a few to invest heavily in hydrogen-powered cars, which are still more costly to produce. Taxi fleet deals such as this are one way for manufacturers to add sales and raise consumer awareness of the cars, which emit only water vapour.