
Launch
In 2009, Mathieu Gardies created STEP [Société du Taxi Électrique Parisien], the aim was to provide a zero-emission solution for essential fleets, such as taxis, and address the urgent need to drastically reduce air and noise pollution in urban areas.
Initially, the project was developed within a technological framework based on battery electric motorisation and rapid recharging (the only zero-emission solution available at the time), but without achieving conclusive results due to several limitations, including technical ones.
In 2014, the project shifted to hydrogen when Asian manufacturers launched the first hydrogen-powered electric vehicles on the market. A solution adapted to intensive and random mobility, rapidly and massively deployable.
In 2015, in the context of COP 21, Mathieu Gardies launched Hype with a first fleet of five hydrogen-powered taxis and a first station located at Place de l’Alma, in Paris.