![Frazer-Nash's Range Extended Electric Metrocab Wants to Reinvent the London Taxi [w/Video]](https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Frazer-Nash-Range-Extended-Electric-Metrocab-100.jpg)
Following Nissan’s NV200-based London taxi, Frazer-Nash and Ecotive have revealed their Range Extended Electric (REE) Metrocab taxi, also designed for the UK capital.
Designed, engineered and built in the UK, the Metrocab is a range extended electric-powered taxi for London inspired by the silhouette of the iconic black cab. It has six passenger seats plus an optional front passenger seat.
The vehicle has been in development since the mid-2000s with several prototypes built and over a million kilometers of engineering tests completed.
Powered by two 50kW electric motors mounted to each of the rear wheels, the Metrocab sources energy from a 12.2kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. It also has a Euro5-compliant 1-liter petrol range-extender engine coupled to generator unit for when the battery is depleted, with combined range exceeding 560 km (348 miles).
Frazer-Nash and Ecotive claim the Metrocab averages more than 75 mpg UK (3.77 l/100 km), making it over three times more fuel-efficient than comparable current London taxi. CO2 emissions are rated at under 50 g/km, which is 75 percent less than comparable current London taxi. Despite a kerb weight of 1,750kg (3,858 lbs), the cab can reach an electronically-limited top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h).
The Metrocab fully complies with London Public Carriage Office (PCO) regulations, including the 7.62m (25ft) turning circle.
Frazer-Nash aims to sell the vehicle to taxi companies in London and other key cities in the UK and internationally.
By Dan Mihalascu
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