Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/604914
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2015 Motoring III Transport for London first customer for Toyota Mirai BORIS Johnson, the Mayor of London, welcomed news that the Toyota Mirai, the world's first hy- drogen fuel cell saloon, is coming to London, as part of his work to pioneer use of cleaner technol- ogy for the future of the capital's transport and infrastructure. The mayor visited Toyota's headquarters during a three-day trade mission to Japan and took the opportunity to test drive the Mirai for himself. He said: "It is fantastic that London will benefit from these new state-of-the-art hydrogen vehicles. By embracing this tech- nology of the future, we aim to consolidate hydrogen's role as a practical alternative fuel for the 21st century and beyond. I am sure that Transport for London will provide the ideal environment for us to see everything Mirai can do and, in doing so, take another great step towards improving air quality in our city and protecting the health of Londoners." The mayor also discussed Lon- don's position as a market for alternative fuel cars, with Toyota senior management. Paul Van der Burgh, Toyota (GB) PLC President and Manag- ing Director said: "We have been delighted to welcome the Mayor of London to our headquarters in Japan to see for himself Toyota's commitment to sustainable mo- bility. Toyota believes in hydro- gen as a key enabler for building a future zero emissions society and we applaud the mayor's com- mitment to embracing new tech- nology in his mission to make London a leading global city for low-emission, low- carbon trans- port. "The success of hydrogen will require constructive dialogue and action, bringing together indus- try, national governments and city authorities like London to share and develop skills and ex- perience and to communicate the benefits that can be delivered to business and to individuals. Our Mirai fuel cell vehicle is a mile- stone in the history of the motor car and opens up unprecedented opportunities for cleaner, sus- tainable transport. Transport for London and the city it serves will provide the ideal environment for Mirai to demonstrate the signifi- cant potential of hydrogen as a practical alternative fuel for the next century and beyond." Transport for London sees the Mirai as an exciting opportunity that the mayor is keen to exploit. The TfL Mirai cars and the de- velopment of a hydrogen refuel- ling infrastructure are considered important first steps towards the wider adoption of the technol- ogy. For more information on Toyota and its products visit the Toyota showroom situated in Mdina Road Zebbug log on the Toyota Malta Facebook page or call on 2269 4000. London Mayor Boris Johnson (left) with a Toyota representative