All-electric London black cab worth £55,000 on the streets as first taxi is delivered to ex-tennis pro cabbie
The London Electric Vehicle Company has released their very first all-electric black cab onto the streets of the capital. And it promises to see huge savings for cabbies
THE first all-electric black cab has been launched on the streets of London, delivered to a former pro tennis player turned cabbie.
London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), formerly the London Taxi Company, handed the keys over to driver David Harris on Monday to mark the start of their campaign to introduce fully-electric taxis to the nation's capital.
Having spent 21 years as a cab driver after retiring from the professional tennis circuit, 46-year-old Harris was the first to put down a deposit for the new electric taxi when orders opened in summer 2017.
LEVC's new TX black cab is set to revolutionise the ride hailing industry in London, with new electric motors set to help improve urban air quality - along with upping the driving experience for both passengers and cabbies.
The new model's e-City technology allows for a range of up to 400 miles on a single charge, including an 80-mile zero emissions range.
Electric cabs also include new features in wheelchair accessibility, on-board wifi, phone/laptop charging, a more spacious cabin with six seats, wide opening rear hinged doors, contactless card machines and an expansive panoramic roof.
Unlike the previous diesel taxi, the vehicle’s multi-filter system works to remove gases and particles from the incoming air, while an in-built air quality sensor automatically closes the external air intake if it detects increased levels of pollution in the outside air – protecting the occupants from the capital’s often poor-quality air.
The new models will include active and passive safety systems such as forward collision warnings, autonomous emergency breaking and emergency brake assistance.
Drivers are also expected to benefit from an estimated £500-£600 saving per month in fuel, servicing and overall running costs.
Black cab driver, David Harris, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get the keys to my new TX electric taxi and there are two reasons I bought the cab.
"First, I can't wait to see the response from passengers, I know that they're going to love it.
"And second, I'm going to see some a significant savings on running the electric taxi.
"Even though I can't charge the vehicle at home, I should be able to charge the cab once a day at Heathrow.
"Combined with lower servicing and overall running costs, this means I should end up £500-£600 a month better off before I even go out to work."
Chris Gubbey, CEO of the LEVC, said: “It’s a momentous day for LEVC and the TX.
"It’s the first of many clean-air, zero emission taxis that will be hitting the streets of London, and we are just as excited as David is.
"Hearing how this vehicle will impact his life, and the vast savings he will make month after month, is just fantastic.
"We can’t wait to see and hear the reaction from passengers as they experience the new TX for the first time.”
Transport for London announced in 2015 that no new petrol or diesel taxis would be registered in the city after January 1 2018, which saw the maker of the iconic black cab forced to rebrand last year as the LEVC.
More news on electric cars
In a bid to encourage the take up of the electric black cab, hailed as ‘state-of-the art’ by TfL, the Mayor announced a £42m scrappage scheme for cabbies who wanted to trade in their Hackney Carriages - promising drivers up to £5,000 in return for a 10-year-old diesel cab.
The Government's Plug-in Taxi Grant, part-funded by the Mayor, also gives cabbies purchasing new Zero Emissions Capable (ZEC) taxis up to £7,500 towards the purchase of a new vehicle.
Current Mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged to make London a carbon-neutral city by 2050.