The new LEVC TX electrified taxi has been delivered to its first customer – a London Cabbie.
David Harris, 46, from Chingford in North London is the first to collect London’s new range-extender hybrid taxi, built by the London EV Company. It uses a battery electric powertrain with a back-up petrol generator, giving a range of 400 miles in total.
The cabbie has been transporting people around the capital for 21 years, and is expected to save several hundreds of pounds each month with his new electric taxi compared with his old diesel cab.
Harris was the first to put an order down when books opened for the electrified taxi in summer last year.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get the keys to my new TX electric taxi. I can’t wait to see the response from passengers, I know they’re going to absolutely love it.
“I’m going to see some significant savings on running an electric taxi with lower servicing bills and overall running costs, this means I should end up £500-£600 a month better off before I even go out to work.”
The new taxi was handed over at the British firm’s headquarters in Brewery Road, London.
Chris Gubbey, CEO of LEVC, said: “It’s a momentous day for LEVC and the TX. It’s the first of many zero emissions taxis that will be hitting the streets of London, and we are just as excited as David is.
“We can’t wait to see and hear the reaction from passengers as they experience the new TX for the first time.”
The e-City technology allows for a range of up to 400 miles, including 80 miles of zero emissions range. The new electric taxi is more practical than London’s well-known diesel cab, with six passenger seats, forward facing wheelchair access, power sockets, on-board Wi-Fi, contactless card machines and a panoramic roof.
It also features a filter system that helps to remove gases and pollution from the air. Safety is also now paramount on the new model, as it features collision warning systems and autonomous emergency braking.
