Motor Trader Dec 18 / Jan 19

"We know that it's only a matter of time
before CO2 regulations arrive in Australia,
and that's why there is such a huge focus
on zero emission vehicles like the Mirai,"
said Mr MacLeod.
"This trial is a step in the right direction
and that's why we're excited to partner
with Hobson's Bay City Council to see
these Mirai used in a number of real-world
applications.
"It's a great opportunity to highlight the
fact that these cars drive just like any other
vehicle, except they don't make any engine
noise and emit nothing but water vapour.
"Like most hydrogen powered vehicles,
the Mirai isn't currently available for sale
in Australia, mainly because there isn't
existing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
to support it," added Mr MacLeod.
The trial FCEVs will be refuelled at
a mobile hydrogen refueller based at
Toyota's former manufacturing site in
nearby Altona - a 13-minute drive to
Hobson's Bay City Council.
Hobsons Bay City Council Mayor Angela
Altair said Council staff were looking forward
to getting behind the wheel of the FCEVs.
"Our staff will use the three Toyota
Mirais to carry out their work for our
community," said Cr Altair.
"We will feed back the experience of our
staff to Toyota, so they can learn more
about the experience and performance of
these cars."
The trial with Hobson's Bay City Council
will be the first
of several trials
run by Toyota
Australia over the
next three years,
with the company
planning to loan
the Mirai FCEVs
to participating
companies or
organisations for
up to 12-weeks at
a time.
FORD BUYS SCOOTER COMPANY
TO PROVIDE CUSTOMERS A
FIRST-LAST MILE SOLUTION
FORD, THROUGH ITS Smart
Mobility unit, has acquired Spin,
a dockless electric scootersharing
company based in San
Francisco that provides customers
an alternative for first- and last-mile
transportation. Spin has operations
in 13 cities and university campuses
across the U.S.
The number of mobility options
available to people has risen
dramatically in recent years and in
some situations, people use multiple
forms of transportation during a single
trip. Ford says the acquisition of Spin
is designed to accelerate its efforts to
provide micro-mobility solutions.
Ford says that scooters allow
cities to offer an equitable last mile
solution to their residents thanks to
the relative affordability. Combined
with ease of use and electrified power,
scooters can also help reduce urban
traffic congestion, parking limitations
and pollution.
December 2018/January 2019 Motor Trader | 39