Seoul Rolls Out LPI Hybrid Taxi Fleet

20 December, 2009 05:25:00

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The Seoul Metropolitan Government has introduced a test fleet of LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injection) hybrid taxis to improve the quality of the air in the city.

Hyundai-Kia Motors is providing 10 LPI hybrid cars to five taxi companies in Seoul, selected by the Korea National Joint Conference of Taxi Association.

The Korea LPG Association will supply the fuel for the taxis, while Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Environment will provide administrative supports.

One hybrid taxi is expected to reduce more than 6 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually and halve other pollutant emissions such as nitrogen oxides.

Powered by a 1.6 LPI Gamma engine with maximum power rated at 114 hp and a 15kW electric motor with maximum power rated at 20hp, the hybrid engine of Hyundai Elantra LPI hybrid puts out total 134 horsepower through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Acceleration from zero to 100km/h is clocked at 11.7 seconds, beating the Honda Civic Hybrid by about 2 seconds.

Elantra LPI Hybrid delivers a fuel economy rating of 17.8 km/l (41.9 mpg) and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km to qualify as a Super Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV).

A city official estimated the initial fleet of hybrid taxis will hit the streets in 2010.

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