TfL will take delivery of four Mirai models to assist with essential engineering and maintenance work carried out between bus stops and Tube stations.

The TfL models will be joined by the end of this year by a further eight Mirai models in the capital, which will be used by private hire firm private car service Greentomatocars and energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power.

The news was announced as the mayor visited Toyota’s headquarters during a three-day trade mission to Japan and took the opportunity to test 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 technology 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.”

Paul Van der Burgh, Toyota (GB) PLC president and managing 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 mobility. Toyota believes in hydrogen as a key enabler for building a future zero emissions society and we applaud the mayor’s commitment to embracing new technology in his mission to make London a leading global city for low-emission, low-carbon transport.

“The success of hydrogen will require constructive dialogue and action, bringing together industry, national governments and city authorities like London to share and develop skills and experience and to communicate the benefits that can be delivered to business and to individuals. Our Mirai fuel cell vehicle is a milestone in the history of the motor car and opens up unprecedented opportunities for cleaner, sustainable transport. Transport for London and the city it serves will provide the ideal environment for Mirai to demonstrate the significant potential of hydrogen as a practical alternative fuel for the next century and beyond.”