The electric drivetrain is just one of the cutting-edge technologies underneath the stylish exterior of the new electric taxi. Like all our vehicles, the new taxi is purpose-built from the ground up as the ultimate taxi, but this time we’ve taken a radically different approach.
The all-new body structure has been designed exclusively for the electric drivetrain; creating a perfect fit for all the mechanical components. This means more room inside and better occupant protection.
Historically, conventional steel has formed the backbone of our vehicles, but for the new taxi we’ve adopted the latest body construction techniques to build a taxi that is lighter, more fuel efficient and better to drive – but still designed for the rigorous demands and life expectancy of a purpose-built taxi.
Lightweight Bonded Aluminium
This is possible thanks to a bonded aluminium structure. This technology is already used in high-end automotive, motorsport and aerospace industries – and we’ve adapted it for the unique requirements of a commercial vehicle.
The all-aluminium structure is bonded, or glued, together with special adhesives. 30% lighter than an equivalent steel structure and more than twice as strong as welding, this process is perfectly suited to the electric taxi, maximising weight-savings to deliver greater electric range.
Strong
The resulting structure is incredibly strong, making the new electric taxi our safest ever. Pound for pound, aluminium can absorb twice the crash energy of mild steel – and because it’s lighter, there is less energy to dissipate in the first place.
And anodised aluminium has other big advantages; it is extremely corrosion resistant and durable, remaining as strong as the day it was formed.
Green
In its raw form, aluminium is the third most abundant natural element on our planet. Despite this, the aluminium used in our body structure is made from recycled material, reducing the environmental impact even further. Sourcing aluminium in this way also reduces the variations in the raw material allowing us to guarantee the highest-quality, most consistent components possible.
Not only that, but the end of the vehicle’s life is greener too. 90% of automotive aluminium scrap — more than a half-million tons a year — is recovered and recycled. To put this in perspective: recycling 1 ton of aluminium saves the energy equivalent of 21 barrels of oil.
Reparability
Taxis cover many miles on unpredictable urban streets, and because of this serviceability and reparability were key considerations in the development process. A taxi must be designed to resist damage, be quickly and easily repaired to minimise down time and be cost-effective, reducing repair costs and therefore insurance premiums.
Our products have long been renowned for their reparability, and the new electric taxi is no different. We look forward to revealing the clever design solutions that make this possible in a future article.
The new tx5 will it design for more motorway usage ..
Average airport driver drives 350 miles a day
Will you allow a luton Hackney Carriage test drive the new tx5 .. demo run at the Luton airport for four weeks
To see if it’s worth for out Towners
Hi Waqqar, the TX eCity technology has an advanced electric powertrain with a small petrol generator. Applied to the all-new electric TX, the technology allows for a range of over 400 miles including well over 70 miles range with zero emissions. Keep reading our updates to learn about the most important phase of our proving programme to come – later this year we’re putting the new electric taxi on the streets of London, in the hands of licensed taxi drivers.
Can you release pictures of the driver compartment please? And….price OTR…along with battery ‘lease’ details etc…
Hi Rich more imagery of the driver compartment can be found here http://bit.ly/2t7laQe. The OTR price is being released closer to the vehicle on sale date in Q4 this year, however we can advise that because of the significant difference in price between electricity vs. fuel costs, drivers of the new electric TX will save on average £100 per week in fuel with no separate battery leasing.
Currently it costs £43,000 for a new TX, at this price it is already overpriced and repair costs are just as expensive as previous models.
What is the cost of the new electric model and is it going to be more cost effective regarding running costs and reliability?
Bearing in mind my TX4 63 plate cost £33,000 in November 2013 , I am seriously put off paying the current price nevermind the new model you are advertising.
Not convinced it’s going to be more reliable and the inevitable repair costs will be just as high on top of the purchase price which in this current climate is far too expensive.
Most Taxi drivers really don’t go for this ” greener ” promise. Current models are ” green” enough.
Costs , servicing and reliability are more important.
Thank you for your comments Darren. The OTR price is being released closer to the vehicle on sale date in Q4 this year but at this stage we can advise that because of the significant difference in price between electricity vs. fuel costs, drivers of the new electric TX will save on average £100 per week in fuel with no separate battery leasing.
The taxi has been subjected to our most rigorous testing regime ever – adopting the same manufacturing and testing processes used by leading companies from the automotive world. This helps ensure the taxi is reliable and robust enough to meet the demands of a taxi duty cycle. The TX will also be supported by our most comprehensive warranty to date.
With regarding to servicing and maintenance, the cost will be significantly less than that of a petrol or diesel taxi because there are fewer parts which will require maintenance in an electric vehicle.
I. Was at goodwood and spoke andsat in vehicle i look forward to test drive
Thanks Andre, it was nice to see you at Goodwood
Sounds great, looking forward to more info and details.
I am a private chauffeur in London and have used Taxi’s from The fairway in 1991 to the TX4 in 2008 and have been waiting for the new electric Taxi to arrive.
Please send details ASAP
Please keep me informed and we are probably willing to place an order on August 1.
Hi Ross, really good to hear from you, thanks for your support. The sales team will certainly be in touch shortly and please stay subscribed to our email updates because we will be releasing more information through here very soon.
When will we get the price how can any driver plan hir future when we been kept in the dark for so long.
The new cab tx5 electric looks very very impressive
The fare rates in Liverpool are one of the cheapest in the country and to purchases a new cab could be very expensive when you consider there is 1500 plus cabs in the city
Can you offer a affordable lease package so owners can invest in this new technology
They would be able to benefit from the savings in fuel and servicing be able to fully purchase vehicle at a later date
I have heard that there maybe an offer scrappage deal in which transport for london are considering
Liverpool could do the same
Kind Regards
Stewart
Thanks Stuart.
Finance packages on TX start from £177 per week over 5 years. All packages include the following: a full 5 year unlimited mileage battery warranty – which is best-in-class for any commercial electric vehicle, 3 years (90,000 miles) free servicing, and a 3 year (120,000 miles) vehicle warranty including roadside assistance.
In TX the average driver could achieve a £100 saving per week on fuel, across a 5 year PCP finance deal a driver could save approximately £25,000 on running costs.
When you consider the reduced servicing and maintenance costs thanks to the battery electric power train, the additional passenger seat which allows for larger group fares, and the lifelong exemption from any congestion charges – TX becomes very affordable.
There are also a number of grants available to taxi drivers, the Plug In taxi grant chief among them which offers £7,500 towards the cost. The ‘Delicensing scheme’ is to be implemented by Transport for London.
Hi
No battery last for ever. Can you advise what is the expected life of those fitted to your cab. A full time driver could easily cover 25.000 miles in a year. What is the likely cost to replace them.
Looking forward to be able to test drive one
Thanks
Ron Turner
Hi Ron,
The cell chemistry of the battery is cutting-edge and the battery has been designed to last the life of the taxi, 15 years +.
In addition, the battery is covered by a full 5-year warranty to provide drivers with extra re-assurance over the initial finance period. This level of cover for a commercial EV is industry leading by the way.
The approximate £100 weekly fuel saving is based on a TX4 taxi driver covering 30,000 miles per year, the taxi and battery are more than capable to coping with those distances. Thanks
Hi,
I just want to say I’m a regular passenger in London cabs. I actively avoid catching taxis older than a 2010 plate because I can see them visibly splaying fumes everywhere and want nothing to do with financing them.
When the new hybrids arrive – I will actively start looking for them over traditional diesel cabs.
The air quality in this city is now so poor I would rather lose a few minutes waiting for an electric cab and do my part for the city and all our health. Many others I know are the same.
I hope London taxi drivers realise Londoners ARE on their side. Clean air cabs, card payments (people don’t mind leaving a tip on card) and air-con are game changers and passengers do notice.
I hope London cabbies take them up in numbers and really take the opportunity to differentiate themselves from Uber and make cabbing an ‘experience’.
Thanks.
R
Thank you for your kind comments. We are respectfully aware of our past and aim to make taxis that are the defining statement in their class, now with a renewed responsibility to the environment. Our vehicles will meet the strictest emission standards in the world, through the use of integrated eCity technology and advanced materials, even the iconic black cab can go green.
I work nights so I will be driving the taxi with the lights on all the time. Will this affect the range of the battery and if so by how much?
Hi Martin,
Every component in the new TX has been designed to be as efficient as possible to minimise the load on the battery and therefore the detrimental effect on the range. For example, all lighting, including the distinctive headlights are powered by ultra-bright low energy LEDs. As with any vehicle though, regardless of the drivetrain or fuel type, the more electrical systems operated, the more ‘fuel’ is used. This effect is less noticeable on conventionally powered vehicles with long ranges between fuel stops, and the eCity technology used in the new TX ensures this same flexibility is retained.
When are you going to bring one up Heathrow
Hi Lee, you can see the TX on the streets of London later this year when we hand over a small fleet to real licensed drivers for paying customers to use. Drivers will be picking up a full range of runs, including Heathrow. There will be the chance to regularly talk to each driver and get in and around the cab during our driver one-to-one sessions which will be held across London, more information including times and dates of these sessions will be shared soon.
Is it best to wait for the electric cab rather than buy diesel
Thanks for your interest. There are a number of reasons why you might want to consider the new TX over one of our previous models, such as lower cost of ownership through fuel savings and reduced servicing and maintenance, the industry-leading warranty, and improved driver and passenger experiences to name a few. If you have any questions at all about the TX, the best course of action would be to attend a private preview we’re currently holding before the taxi arrives in showrooms. During the no-obligation one hour session you can get inside the taxi and we can explain everything about the vehicle in a lot more detail. To register for an invite please complete the form on the homepage.
yes i bought TX1 from new years ago was disappointed with running cost i always wanted one to feel i was a proper taxi driver after 16 months i was hart broken i loved the Vehicle but running cost was heavy and small gripes with reliability their did not seem any future when i spoke to LTI about how they were going to combat the economics the engine was good 2.7 Nissan strong but heavy the vehicle was well built but to heavy so i hope the new TX5 works for the future of the Taxi and for the investment that has been put into it and for the future of the work force to secure their jobs in a rewarding job to transform a new outlook on the trade
Hi Merv, thank you for your feedback. The running costs of TX will be significantly less than any of our previous models. Not only fuel but servicing and maintenance too because electric motors have fewer parts and liquids which can go wrong they naturally require less maintenance, and the use of the battery put less requirement and wear on the range-extender. If you’d like to see the TX in person please feel free to register for an invitation to a private preview on this site where we can explain all about the economics of the new taxi in more detail in a no-obligation one hour session.
Hi i have run many different vehicles as Taxi and now private hire current Prius+ it has become more about economics to stay in business on my 5th or 6th Prius i just drive and service them and they keep going i would love to step back into a Black cab with the economics of a Prius and reliability it did not seem logical to buy a diesel Vehicle after buying my first Prius i have only paid £60 road tax in ten years . i hope and really look forward to seeing this TX5 in action would love to test drive one . i don’t know about TX5 batteries but Prius when in for complete testing at 180000 miles batteries were reading 98% the Dealer was Shocked worse thing is to leave such a vehicle parked up you need to work the system i work every day almost so interested to see economic figures of servicing and fuel cost if they work i would buy one tomorrow
hi i would like to know when it is going to available to buy
Hi Boban, the TX order book has been open since August and we have begun taking orders through our TX private preview sessions ahead of the taxi arriving in showrooms later this year. For more information on how to purchase please contact us on 02039 066 332
Hi,
Why did you not adopt the hybrid system that lexus use where the battery is charged through braking and coasting, this eliminates the need for a separate charge point.
Looking at various pictures of the interior it still looks like its got more cheap plastics than Airfix it is undoubtedly going to be priced alongside vehicles like Mercedes Jaguar BMW but the component interior parts are cheaper hard plastics.
Hi Philip, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Regenerative braking has been adopted in TX but we would always recommend using plug-in charging for speed and convenience – for example, a full charge using a 50kW on-street rapid charger can be achieved in just 30 minutes.
I am concerned that charging points will not be installed on time. 50 kw is a hell of a big cable and getting those to the street is tricky. TfL and local Councils are, I understand, getting bogged down in chosing sites and digging up roads and pavements and laying new cables is proving much more complicated than expected. I am going to wait until your batteries hold more charge. The range will be too low at night with lights on, and in winter with heating. I am also concerned about ease of repair. We get dented a lot so I will wait to see how local repair shops manage it.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Charging infrastructure is being widely installed in popular drop off stations such as shopping centers, airports, and now even traditional fuel stations will see rapid-chargers installed following an announcement from the likes of Shell. We are also working closely with local authorities to ensure there is adequate on-street charging available.
The battery in TX has been chosen because it is an appropriate size to cover most taxi driver’s daily usage. Bigger batteries mean more cost and more weight, and reduced efficiency. To meet the daily mileage of a taxi driver TX is supported by an economic petrol range extender, which lets drivers travel 377 miles before needing to recharge – so there is no need to worry about using any or all of the electrical systems. This short video explains how eCity technology works to remove any concern about range and the state of battery charge: https://youtu.be/g5fJ7wpzymM
TX is built to be easier to repair than any of our previous models. Thanks to ‘datum’ reference points located in all key body structures, it is now possible to use a portable measurement system to quickly verify that damage is cosmetic and that the underlying structure has not been compromised. The panel repair can then be confidently carried out by most body repair shops, without the vehicle being moved to a specialist bodyshop for appraisal.
Does the new txe have disc brakes all round or is it still the front disc & rear drum set up on the tx4. Surely for the price all round disc brakes should be standard ??.
Hi Michael, the braking system on TX consists of front and rear floating caliper / ventilated discs, ABS, Electronic Stability Control and Emergency Brake Assist. For more information on the specification of TX you can download our Price & Specification guide here http://bit.ly/2ko68pu