Have you wondered ‘what’s it like to own and drive a TX?’. If you have, we encourage you to join us at one of our ‘Meet the driver’ forums where you can get independent, genuine feedback from a real licensed cabbie currently operating in TX.
Learn their thoughts on what it’s like to drive the electric taxi in the city; what it’s like to charge on the street during the day; what fuel savings are being made; how the public are reacting to the new ‘green’ black cab;…….you can even take a look around the taxi.
[Click here] to view our calendar of upcoming driver forums
[Click here] to learn more about TX – The Electric Taxi
]]>As expected of a modern vehicle, a full complement of braking and stability systems such as Anti-lock Braking (ABS), Hill Start Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), help keep TX on the road safely. But even with professional licensed drivers at the wheel, busier city streets mean the risk of collision is always present. That’s why TX adopts the very latest Active Safety Technology to help anticipate and respond to potential dangers on the road, and keep occupants and road users safe.
Assisting drivers with Active Safety Technology
Lane departure warning
Sensors mounted in the windscreen watch the road markings ahead and should the taxi begin to drift out of its lane without indicating, the driver is alerted to avoid a possible collision.
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
The same suite of sensors constantly monitors the road ahead to identify potential dangers. If a collision risk is identified the FCW alerts the driver with an audible warning and message on the display console.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
If the driver has taken no action to the FCW and the potential collision is likely to occur, the AEB system applies the brakes automatically to prevent impact. The AEB system not only reacts to solid objects like other vehicles, but can also spot vulnerable road users like pedestrians or cyclists. Capable of functioning at higher speeds, the AEB can reduce the taxi speed by up to 47mph to avoid or reduce the severity of collisions, and for complete extra peace of mind, is always switched on.
Parking Sensors
Parking sensors front (optional) and rear provide audible and visual warnings, and a high-definition colour reversing camera (optional) helps drivers avoid obstacles while maneuvering in reverse.
Road Sign Information
This allows drivers to view the important information and instructions shown on road signs through the driver’s instrument panel, enhancing awareness by making it easier to stay informed of current regulations and warnings.
Speed Assistance System
Cruise control allows the current speed to be effortlessly maintained, while the speed limiter function prevents the taxi from accidentally exceeding the pre-set speed – meaning drivers can focus on the road ahead instead of the speedometer.
Passive Safety features protecting occupants
Complementing the strong underlying structure and advanced driver aids, TX is equipped with a suite of passive safety features which protect occupants from the forces experienced during a collision.
Airbags
Drivers are protected by a large 60-litre front airbag to cushion the head and chest, as well as a 15-litre side airbag side that works in conjunction with the curtain airbag to protect in the event of a frontal or side impact. The passenger compartment features two full-length curtain airbags that span the passenger compartment and deploy to protect passengers’ head and upper torso. All airbags can fully inflate in just 30 milliseconds, 1/10 of the time it takes to blink, and when combined with seat belts, offer an exceptional level of protection for all occupants.
Seats
All seats feature reverse-wound, three-point seatbelts and energy-absorbing headrests to reduce the chance and severity of whiplash related injuries. Forward-facing seats feature load limiters which prevent unsafe forces being applied to the body should a collision occur, while a pre-tensioning system holds the occupant more securely. A visual seatbelt reminder prompts the driver to stay safe, and the collapsible steering column and brake pedal disconnect system provide further protection for drivers. As with all our previous models, the rear cabin is specially designed to assist wheelchair users and those with limited mobility to travel in safety and comfort.
Be one of the first to test drive the new TX
Following the opening of the order book through the private viewings in London, we’re pleased to say our 2017 order book is full and we are now taking orders for delivery in January.
The new TX is launching in dealerships later this year but due to the high demand for test drives from customers that have already placed orders, we are advising anyone that is interested in taking a test drive this year to attend one of the private previews in London. Test drive priority will be given to those placing a fully refundable £500 deposit during the private previews.
Why attend a private preview?
– Opportunity to test drive the taxi first & secure a build slot with a fully refundable deposit of only £500. There is no obligation to purchase at any stage.
– Take advantage of pre-launch offers such as three years or 100K miles FREE servicing.
-Discover how you could save typically £100/week on fuel by driving the electric taxi.
– Get an up-close-and-personal look at the inside of TX during the private one hour session.
– Learn more about its innovative eCity technology & the comprehensive industry-leading warranty.
– Get detailed information on our competitive finance packages.
– Learn more about servicing & maintenance, government funding, charging infrastructure and much more.
[REGISTER FOR A PREVIEW INVITATION]
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TX has been developed to help driver’s maximum business potential by minimising time off the road needed for regular maintenance work. Thanks to the electric motor working together with the range-extender, the routine maintenance costs of the Electric Taxi are significantly lower than that of a traditional internal-combustion engine vehicle.
So much so, you can expect to spend approximately half as much on servicing because we have extended the recommended service intervals to 25,000 miles rather than the 15,000 miles recommended for our current models.
What’s more, anyone who attends a private preview and puts a deposit down can take advantage of our pre-launch offer which gives you the first three years or 100K miles servicing for FREE!
Technology that helps you save
The intuitive drive modes of TX work seamlessly to not only manage the energy sources, but also help extend the lifespan of the taxi by making individual components last longer. Here are just a few ways which TX helps reduce servicing and maintenance costs.
The battery and electric motor which propel TX require little to no regular maintenance since there are fewer fluids to change and fewer serviceable parts. Because the electric motor drives the taxi, there is no traditional gearbox to inspect or maintain. The range-extender will require maintenance similar to conventional vehicles, however because the battery powers the vehicle on its own most of the time, the range-extender only operates when needed – meaning there is less mechanical wear on those components. Even the regenerative braking system plays a part in reducing maintenance costs. Not only does it improve the electric range, but it also reduces the wear on the brake pads and brakes extending their lifespan.
Where and how to book a service
We are currently in the process of appointing a nationwide network to support TX and provide service and maintenance in areas necessary. Technician training and capability forms a key part of the appointment requirement. The LEVC approved service network are provided with the necessary training, tools and technical documentation to ensure a professional and efficient service, with a quick turnaround and minimal downtime.
On the occasions when work is required, we will be offering drivers a three-click online service which allows them to book a scheduled service at their nearest dealer with just their vehicle registration and a few clicks of the mouse.
Preview the TX Electric Taxi
For your opportunity to exclusively preview the new Electric Taxi and take advantage of our FREE servicing pre-launch offer, register for an invitation below and book your place online.
Why register for an invitation & attend a Private Preview
– Benefit from our pre-launch offer which includes three years or 100K miles FREE servicing, only available to those who place a deposit in the private previews
– Get an up-close-and-personal look at the TX in a private one hour session
– Learn more about its innovative eCity technology & the comprehensive industry-leading warranty
– Discover how you could save £100/week on fuel
– Get detailed information on our competitive finance packages
– Learn more about servicing & maintenance, government funding, charging infrastructure and much more.
The new TX has undergone the most extensive testing and development programme we’ve ever undertaken; in fact, the TX has completed more test mileage than all of our previous models put together.
As part of a multinational group, we have privileged access to the world’s biggest and best automotive suppliers with the latest technology; and we’ve gone to great lengths in selecting each partner for their unique attributes to ensure all elements of TX are built to last the life of the taxi – this includes the drive battery.
Tried, Tested and Proven
Our battery supplier, LG Chem are the world’s number one manufacturer of electric vehicle batteries and recognised globally for their performance and quality. The lithium-ion drive battery in TX has been extensively tested over millions of miles, and in the most extreme terrains to ensure reliability and longevity no matter the environment or usage.
Whether recharged slowly overnight or getting a full top up using a rapid-charger every 8 hours, in all cases the power available remained consistent, with no decline in performance – offering full confidence regardless of whether you plan to charge at home or on the street. In our most extreme usage tests, the battery was repeatedly rapid-charged for 9,000 full cycles before the full charge reduced 25% of its original capacity.
Thanks to the revolutionary eCity technology, an unused battery doesn’t lose voltage because the battery is always passing charge so the voltage is always maintained. In fact, the taxi would need to be left unattended for over a year before this posed a significant problem.
What’s more, a resilient metal casing around the battery protects it from being damaged by debris and impacts, as well as lifting or jacking by would-be thieves. The cells of the battery are arranged in three different “strings”, meaning that it can continue to function even in the unlikely event of it being damaged.
Peace of Mind
Our battery is not leased but comes included with the taxi, meaning there are no additional lease costs to factor in to your monthly budget and you won’t be tied to a lease contract. We’re confident that it will last as long as the taxi does and to showcase the quality of the technology we’re offering a full five-year unlimited mileage battery warranty which is industry leading for any commercial electric vehicle.
We’re also able to offer the opportunity to purchase a new TX on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP). PCP allows customers to set an affordable monthly payment, starting from just £177 per week, for up to five years, during which time the battery is comprehensively covered by the warranty. At the end of the term customers can simply hand the taxi back to us; taking absolutely no risks around the health of the battery or the residual value of the vehicle. However, should they wish to purchase the taxi outright at this point, that option remains available too.
Stay subscribed to our updates to learn more about the electric motor in TX, and how it offers reduced servicing requirements and a lower total cost of ownership.
Preview the Ground Breaking TX Electric Taxi
We recently announced the opening of the order book for the new TX and our private viewings are already underway in London for those wishing to place an early order prior to the vehicle being in the showroom later this year. For your opportunity to exclusively preview the new Electric Taxi book online below.
Why Register for a Private Preview Invitation?
– Get an up-close-and-personal look at the TX in a private one hour session
– Learn more about its innovative eCity technology & the comprehensive industry-leading warranty
– Discover how you could save £100/week on fuel
– Get detailed information on our competitive finance packages
– Learn more about servicing & maintenance, government funding, charging infrastructure and much more.
Because electricity is cheaper than diesel, the typical fuel saving for a driver of our current model has been estimated at close to £100 per week, and over a 5-year period this could be as much as a £24k saving in fuel.
Want to know how this is possible? Read the typical example based on the working week of a current London TX4 driver.
Typical Fuel Saving Example
If you drive 120 miles per day, 5 days per week, your weekly travel is 600 miles.
TX4 LE (Euro 6)
With the current cost of diesel at 117.7p per litre, your estimated weekly fuel spend is £139.
TX (The new Electric Taxi with eCity Technology)
In comparison, by owning a TX and charging the battery overnight you’ll be able to leave your house each day with a fully charged battery. At the national average electricity price of 12p per kW, this would cost you about £16 each week. If you’re on an economy 7 tariff that cost could be even lower.
For this example, we’ve also assumed you’re able to stop for a total of 45 minutes each day to plug into a fast charge point. Based on an average cost per kW of 21p, this would cost around £17 per week.
We’ve adjusted the official projected electric range (70+ miles) to a real-world figure. Thanks to the charging opportunities shown above you would travel 520 miles per week on pure electric energy; that means the petrol range extender is only required for the remaining 80 miles per week. At £116.7p per litre of petrol we estimate this range extender mileage would cost £10 per week.
In total that’s a fuel cost of £43 per week for the new Electric Taxi compared to £139 a week in diesel to fuel a TX4 – giving you a weekly fuel saving of £96.
Over a 5-year period, the savings really add up, in fact the above example equates to a total fuel cost saving of around £24,000.
This illustrates how much you could save if you maximise the range offered by driving in pure EV mode. However, we understand that in some areas it may not be possible to access a charge point during the day or even overnight. Thanks to the eCity technology, the petrol range extender will offer drivers over 400 miles of driving between plug ins – meaning you’ll always be able to accept that last fare irrespective of how much charge is left in your battery.
[COMPARE YOUR RUNNING COSTS HERE]
See how much you could save
We appreciate this typical example may not apply to your work patterns and circumstances. If that’s the case, please follow the link below and use our interactive Running Cost Calculator to compare the cost of driving your current taxi against the cost of running a TX – and see the indicative fuel savings you could achieve by switching to electric.
[COMPARE YOUR RUNNING COSTS HERE]
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Earlier this year, at the opening of our new electric vehicle factory, the government announced a special extension to its existing Plug-In Grant scheme. This new Plug-In Taxi Grant, worth £75m, is created to provide drivers with up to £7,500 off the price of a new TX.
The grant, applied by the vehicle dealer, is paid out to vehicles that have a zero-emission capable range of at least 70 miles and emit less that 50g/CO2/km when their range extender is operating.
Charging at home
Drivers with off-street parking have access to further government funding through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) which provides funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing electric chargepoints at domestic properties across the UK. To make sure this grant goes further, we have partnered with the UK’s leading supplier, Chargemaster, to provide a reliable, affordable home charging solution. Thanks to this scheme, buying a Chargemaster unit through LEVC will cost just £299 and include a five year warranty. There is no extra cost for installation.
For those who do not have a suitable location for home based charging, it’s never been easier to stay fully charged throughout the day using the UK’s network of on-street chargers. We are working with infrastructure providers to increase access to faster chargers. In addition, cities around the UK are investing in rapid charging points dedicated for taxis – with 75 points due to be installed in London later this year.
Take your older taxi off the streets
Also in London, TfL have set aside an additional £42m to support their new Taxi Delicensing Scheme.
This scheme helps owners take their older, more polluting taxi – that is 10 years or older – off the streets of London with a delicensing payment of up to £5,000. This taxi can still be sold outside of London and could help drivers upgrade to a newer cab. Please click here to see if you might be eligible for this scheme.
These incentives all help support drivers looking to move to a cleaner, greener taxi. However, the biggest advantage of switching are the dramatic fuel savings possible, stay subscribed to learn more about the potential savings you could make by switching to The Electric Taxi.
]]>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.
]]>A powerful electric motor always drives the taxi – quietly and efficiently converting power from the battery into propulsion. Thanks to unrivalled charging flexibility, this battery can be charged either at home or with on-street charge points. It has been designed with the unpredictable nature of a taxi driver’s day to day routine in mind. This means flexibility in charging options and a range-extender to ensure all drivers enjoy the benefits of owning a new electric taxi.
We are excited to announce that the new electric taxi is capable of travelling up to 400 miles in between plug-ins! This is thanks to the small petrol engine (known as a range-extender) which works as a generator, maintaining the state of charge when the battery is depleted. This ensures that the vehicle can continue to run for hundreds of miles before a re-charge is needed.
Allowing drivers to operate a vehicle for up to 400 miles between plug-ins means that the new electric taxi is commercially viable for taxi drivers all over the world. Taxi drivers who travel many miles over varied routes every day have no reason to worry about the level of charge. And because the wheels are always being powered by the battery, the power and performance available to the driver is always consistent, making for a smooth and comfortable ride for both passenger and driver.
Managing your battery
It will always be kinder to your wallet and kinder to the environment to charge up the electric taxi from a dedicated charge point (either at home or from an on-street charge point). As a result, the new electric taxi helps to operate exclusively on battery energy as much as possible by offering clear and simple monitoring systems and visual displays making the driver permanently aware of the amount of range and charge that remains.
The electric drive motor and petrol range-extender work together seamlessly to deliver the optimum efficiency for the operating conditions. Drivers are also able to manage energy usage manually by alternating between different drive modes, via a touch screen in the centre console. The three different drive modes available are described below.
SMART mode intelligently operates the vehicle in the most efficient way, switching between battery and range-extender where appropriate.
In PURE EV mode the petrol range-extender is disabled and only battery power is used to drive, using no fuel and producing zero-emissions. Drivers are kept informed on the level of charge, and indicators advise drivers when to select an alternative drive mode as the battery charge is depleted.
For maximum flexibility, SAVE mode runs the range-extender to conserve the battery charge for later use. The best example of the ingenious SAVE mode being put to practical use is for taxi drivers that commute to the city from many miles away. Simply select SAVE mode when leaving home and your 100% charge will be maintained during your entire commute. Once entering the city limits or low emission zone simply switch to PURE EV mode for many miles of completely emission free operation. At the end of a shift the return home on SMART mode ensures that you’ll have plenty of range to get home. Simply plug in overnight to do it all again the next day.
Charging the battery by coasting or braking… giving drivers free energy!
Complimenting the intelligent energy management systems, the new electric taxi employs regenerative coasting and braking. Kinetic energy normally lost as the vehicle slows is instead captured and converted into stored energy. This means every time a driver coasts or puts their foot on the brake, the energy is cleverly diverted back to the battery. What’s more, the level of regeneration can be adjusted to suit a driver’s preference and driving style.
The electric taxi utilises the next generation of smart vehicle technology which has been specifically designed to suit the next generation of smart taxi drivers. By utilising electric power and managing power usage intelligently, the new electric taxi offers (for the first time) a commercially viable, clean, green alternative to the traditional diesel taxi. In doing so it also offers the taxi driver the opportunity to drastically reduce their running costs at the same time as helping to clean up our cities.
Stay subscribed to learn much more about the state of the art technology that lies under the skin of the new electric taxi.
]]>How do you test a vehicle on every type of road surface and conditions at all speeds, consistently and in a repeatable way? Where can you take a vehicle past its limits of grip and expose it to physical abuse over and over again in safety? How can you subject a vehicle to many years’ exposure to salty winter roads when it’s warm outside?
Our permanent base at MIRA Technology Park near Coventry provides us with unrivalled access to one the largest, most comprehensive automotive proving grounds in the world. This 840-acre site houses 100km of test routes and 37 specialist test facilities including an advanced emissions test centre, climatic wind tunnels, kinematics and compliance facility, electromagnetic compatibility test chambers, crash test facilities and a myriad of other vehicle development laboratories. Our team of engineers works tirelessly to put our prototypes through a gruelling test regime; here are just a few examples:
- Extensive road testing on all surfaces to optimise durability, tyre wear, ride comfort and handling while driving over potholes, cobbles, rough concrete and even railway tracks
- A Kinematics and Compliance (or ‘shaker’) rig that vigorously works the suspension system and chassis and helps us to evaluate the performance, fit and wear of the components, as well as to eradicate annoying rattles and vibrations that could be heard inside the cabin
- The Climatic Wind Tunnel allows a vehicle to operate on a rolling road in sustained severe hot and cold temperatures with a realistic aerodynamic and wind chill effect. The vehicle is left in these conditions for days at a time to ensure every component is fully chilled or heated as would occur in real life
- A giant salt bath allows us to fully immerse the vehicle in a salt solution, expose it to the air and continue this process repeatedly to simulate driving for 15 years through cold winters with excessive road salt to gauge resistance to corrosion.
Despite this extensive programme, there is no substitute for testing in the real world. The UK’s unreliable weather means we don’t experience the right conditions to properly test for all climate conditions. Our strenuous testing regime has therefore taken the cab from the bitter cold of the Arctic Circle to the extreme desert heat of Arizona and across some of the most challenging terrain in the world.
By driving in these extreme environments, we can be confident of how different ambient temperatures, as well as use of equipment such as heating and ventilation, affect the electric range. We also fine-tune the calibration of systems to ensure they perform effectively no matter how severe the temperature outside, ensuring the vehicle can quickly reach and maintain a comfortable cabin temperature for the driver and passengers, de-frost and de-mist windows rapidly and, most importantly, ensure passengers arrive at their destination on time and in comfort.
Ambient temperature is just one aspect of our road tests; we carefully monitor the effects of direct sunlight, heat (and cold) soak, airborne sand and dust particles, and even the impact of different grip levels on the safety stability system.
As part of our commitment to delivering quality and durability, we have ensured our rigorous testing practises not only reflect those of the top global automotive companies, but also adapt and extend those practises to the specific needs of the taxi duty cycle; so whilst we appreciate that not every new electric taxi will be subject to such extremes, drivers can rest assured that their vehicle has been designed to go the distance.
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. To be continued…
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Proven experts and specialists in electric vehicle technology were a must. Only tried and tested suppliers with global experience can deliver the quality and standards we are demanding.
That’s why working with our sister company, Volvo, plays such an important part of the new electric taxi’s development. Renowned for their safety and engineering innovations, they were a natural and obvious choice as one of our component suppliers. Together with parent company Geely, that means our vehicle has benefited from huge investment and millions of development miles, and puts a wealth of expertise and a globally established supply chain at our disposal. In turn, both passengers and drivers can expect a supremely comfortable ride.
No carry over parts
The new electric taxi has been redesigned from the ground up to ensure maximum comfort, reliability, and range. This means there are no carry over parts from our current taxi. Every new component has had to be meticulously sourced. Each part has been developed to a brand-new engineering requirement, and the highest durability standards we have ever set; from the brake hoses to the bumper brackets – everything is designed with durability in mind.
Our engineering and manufacturing teams have developed a detailed process to identify potential partners and thoroughly evaluate their products.
Rigorous inspection procedures
This development of long-term relationships means we are able to ensure partners remain focused on delivering top quality products that are cost-effective for our customers, and by supporting our business, the future success of our partners is also ensured. The growing strength of the UK automotive sector means that far more of our components will be sourced from within the UK, and already those partners and suppliers are benefiting directly from our development and close relationship building: SAPA Group, our specialist aluminium supplier, has been able to re-open one of its previously unused factories due to increased demand. Also, over 1,000 new jobs have been created at our Ansty production site. But this is just the start. As we develop and grow further, you can expect to see more jobs, more partnerships and more opportunities being created.
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