Volkswagen has unveiled the Milano Taxi at the Hannover Messe for its official world debut. It is a study of a mass-market taxi powered by an electric motor and designed for urban transport. It features a cargo area integrated in the taxi's interior and individualized touch screens for driver and passengers. The taxi features one swivel-sliding door and is basically a mini mini-van. The black and green color combination was chosen as a tribute to the Milan taxis of yore that were painted in that exact color combination.

The Milano Taxi is powered by an electric motor with a peak output of 113 HP; energy is supplied from a lithium ion battery integrated in the underbody, giving a range of up to 300 kilometers. The Milano Taxi plugs in right under the VW emblem as in the Volkswagen Golf->ke164.

Volkswagen stated that this concept is the first of many electric vehicles that the brand is working on. In fact, they stated that we should expect several new electric motor vehicles in 2013.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Volkswagen Milano Taxi

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 Volkswagen Milano Taxi

Press release

Volkswagen remains on course for becoming the world’s most environmentally-friendly automaker: The Milano Taxi, a study of a mass-market taxi powered by an electric motor, made its world debut at Hannover Messe which opened today.

Volkswagen’s electric strategy is the central element of the company’s presence at the trade fair. Volkswagen will be launching several electric vehicles in 2013. Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, and Luca de Meo, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, unveiled the study at the Volkswagen stand in Hall 15.

The zero-emission Milano Taxi is based on decades of experience at Volkswagen as a successful taxi manufacturer. The electric concept car designed for urban transport features a cargo area integrated in the taxi’s interior and individualized touch screens for driver and passengers. The Milano Taxi is powered by an electric motor with a peak output of 85 kW; energy is supplied from a lithium ion battery integrated in the underbody, giving a range of up to 300 kilometers.

Apart from electric traction, the continuous optimization of energy-efficient and low-emission vehicles powered by combustion engines is a firm part of Volkswagen’s sustainability strategy.