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The majority of taxis in the UK currently rely on the internal combustion engine for power using either petrol or diesel. However with restrictions on their use planned for London, and potentially other areas, interest in the use of hybrid and 100% electric vehicles is growing.

A new company, Fair Air, is proposing a direct ethanol fuel cell as a potential source of energy for a 100% electric vehicle with taxis its target market. Ethanol is relatively cheap and is already commercially produced with existing forecourts able to be upgraded to handle this product.

Following on from research undertaken with London black cabs, and to assist with our understanding of the wider potential market for such a vehicle, would you be able to complete the questions below? All responses will be treated in confidence.

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* 1. Where in the UK do you live?

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* 2. What is your involvement in the taxi market? Please choose one option only

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* 3. and what age range are you? Please choose one option only

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* 4. How many more years do you expect to be an owner/driver/operator of a taxi? Please choose one option only

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* 5. Would you be interested in owning/driving/operating a remanufactured zero-emission black cab powered by a technology such as a fuel cell? Please choose one option only

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* 6. Hydrogen, a gaseous fuel, is the most commercialised fuel cell concept to date. Alternatives such as ethanol, a liquid fuel proposed by FairAir, have also been developed. Would you currently have a preference towards the use of either technology with a fuel cell? Please choose one option only

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* 7. Ethanol is already commercially produced, with existing forecourts easily able to be upgraded for its distribution. Do such benefits make it more attractive, less attractive or have no impact on its use with a fuel cell? Please choose one option only

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* 8. Would you have any specific concerns about using a fuel cell as a source of power with a taxi?

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* 9. A new electric black cab is currently priced at around £65,000. Fair Air and its partners are developing re-manufactured existing black cabs powered by ethanol fuel cells for under £30,000. The taxi would be provided on a service agreement but with the ability for the agreement to be sold on. What would be your thoughts on changing to a refurbished black cab powered by ethanol fuel cells?

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* 10. Do you plan to buy or lease a black cab within the next 3 years? Please choose one option only

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* 11. If yes definitely or yes probably to the previous question, will you be changing to a new vehicle or a used vehicle? Please choose one option only

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* 12. When next purchasing or leasing a taxi, how likely would you consider a remanufactured black cab powered by an ethanol fuel cell? Please choose one option only

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* 13. How would you prefer to access a remanufactured black cab powered by an ethanol fuel cell? A service agreement or by another way?

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* 14. Finally, do you have other requirements that need to be taken into account by FairAir in the development of an ethanol fuel cell taxi?

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