The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has launched a pilot programme that is using hydrogen fuel cell taxis based on modified Toyota Mirais.

This follows the recent introduction of all-electric Tesla Model S saloons and Model X SUVs as taxis in Dubai.

The new hydrogen fuel-cell Toyota Mirai taxis can be fully refuelled in a matter of minutes, which is significantly faster than current all-electric vehicles can be recharged.

That said, if an all-electric taxi does not use up a full charge during its working shift, the charging speed is not very important — and there is the possibility of partial charging between ‘fares’.

An alternative solution to the possible problem of long charging times is to add a petrol range extender, as the London Electric Vehicle Co has done to its products.

The new Toyota Mirai can reportedly travel up to 500km on a single tank of hydrogen.