LEVC reveals cost of electric taxi

The London EV Company (LEVC) has today (1 August) opened the order book for its TX eCity electric taxi, which will retail at £55,599.

The TX eCity, range-extended electric taxi

The new vehicle is powered by a battery electric powertrain with a 1.3 litre petrol engine, made by Volvo. The technology allows for a range of over 400 miles including over 70 miles range with zero emissions.

LEVC has also announced details today of the launch finance package, which is an alternative to purchasing the vehicle outright. This will cost drivers around £177 per week for five years, including the purchase of the battery, compared to around £167 per week over four years for the previous TX4 model.

Incentive

Drivers may also be eligible for a Plug in Taxi Grant from the government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles, totalling up to £7,500 to aid the purchase of the taxi. Other incentives are available for drivers to trade in diesel cabs of between 10 and 15 years old, with up to £5,000 being offered to drivers in the capital through a Transport for London-funded scheme announced last week (see airqualitnews.com story).

According to LEVC, despite the higher initial outlay for the vehicle compared to a typical new petrol or diesel model, which could cost around £35,000, drivers are likely to make savings on fuel costs by using the battery electric power train.

The company says that a new TX will save a driver £100 a week in fuel based on an average of 115 miles travelled per day over a five day week. This would include the vehicle being subject to an overnight charge and a 45 min daytime top-up charge.

Emissions

Commenting today LEVC’s commercial director, Richard Gordon, said: “I am delighted to announce such a competitive package for the new electric TX. Market leading in every way, this is a truly outstanding new vehicle that will revolutionise the taxi trade in London from an emissions perspective, for passenger comfort, experience and enjoyment, and importantly for the drivers.”

He added: “Taking in to consideration the fuel costs of the TX, over the course of a week, it represents a really impressive savings of £100. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new in to our showroom as of this week with our order book now open.”

Steve McNamara of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association commented: “The taxi trade welcomes the arrival of this ultra clean 21st century vehicle that can only help us to win business back from private hire. We recognise the serious issues around air quality in London and cities around the UK, and look forward to offering emission free personal transport to Londoners and visitors alike.”

LEVC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chinese carmaker Geely, which also owns Volvo and has produced previous generations of the iconic London taxi, under the name London Taxi Company.

The new model is being produced at the company’s £300 million manufacturing facility at Ansty near Coventry, which opened in March, and will have the capability to produce more than 20,000 vehicles per year, when operating at full capacity.