New Hybrid TX Black Cab Enters Service In London

The London EV Company (LEVC) has delivered its first TX eCity Black Cab to a cabbie. The first hybrid taxi was handed over to 46-year old David Harris, who was one of the first to put a deposit down on the range-extended electric vehicle when order books opened back in 2017.

The company says the model should allow Harris to save £500-£600 ($699-$838) a month thanks to reduced fuel, servicing, and operating costs.

The rear-wheel drive TX has a 31 kWh lithium-ion battery which powers an electric motor that develops 150 PS (110 kW) and 255 Nm (188 lb-ft) of torque.  It enables the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km) in 13.2 seconds and hiy a top speed of 80 mph (128 km/h).  More importantly, the taxi can travel up to 80 miles (128 km) on electricity alone.

When the battery charge becomes too low, a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder is activated to recharge it. The LEVC says this enables the model to have an overall range of up to 400 miles (643 km) and a combined fuel economy rating of 217.3 mpg UK (180.9 mpg US, 1.3 lt/100 km).

The entry-level model starts at £52,024.50 ($72,751.58), but the VAT increases the total to £62,429.40 ($87,288.16). However, the OTR price is a more reasonable £55,599 ($77,737.97) thanks to a £7,500 ($10,488) plug-in taxi grant issued by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

That’s still a significant amount of money, but the taxi comes equipped a panoramic glass roof, an intercom and WiFi connectivity.  The model also boasts a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system as well as an assortment of driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and forward collision alert.

In a statement, LEVC CEO Chris Gubbey 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.” He added, “We can’t wait to see and hear the reaction from passengers as they experience the new TX for the first time.”