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
]]>Our new electric taxi certainly gained a lot of interest from curious commuters and passers by during its recent visit to Kings Cross Station.
Despite the weather, visitors were delighted by the quality of the passenger space inside the cab, including the all-new panoramic roof. In addition postive comments were made on the availability of wifi and USB connections onboard, making the new electric taxi an ideal ‘on-the-go’ work hub whilst travelling around the city.
Fancy arranging a ride in the electric taxi for your business?
Email us about our Electric Taxi chauffeuring opportunities: [email protected]
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Having been put through the most rigorous testing regime in the company’s history, including the extreme weather conditions in the Arctic and Death Valley, these test vehicles now face the final challenge, as they are tested on the streets of London.
Chris Gubbey, CEO of the LEVC, said“We are incredibly excited to deliver our 6 test vehicles to the streets of London today. Made in the UK, this is set to be the best taxi in the world for the best taxi service in the world.”
LEVC’s test fleet drivers are real London cabbies who will help to collect vital information such as the emissions savings being made from LEVC’s eCity technology and the performance of London’s charge point infrastructure before delivering to customers and being available to fare paying passengers later in the year.
Chris Gubbey continued, “We will now be able to accurately quantify the significant improvements these vehicles will make to London’s air quality which will benefit all Londoners regardless of whether you use taxis or not. For those that do, the experience will be transformational.”
New features include six seats, contactless card machines, onboard wi-fi, laptop and USB charging, a panoramic roof, and an aluminum body that is stronger and will better protect the passenger. In addition, London’s passengers should expect an unrivalled ride quality, class leading wheelchair accessibility, air-conditioning, phone charging and a much more spacious cabin.
The black cab trade has a global reputation for safety and this remains top of the agenda. World class active and passive safety systems will help to protect both the vehicle and other road users. These include forward collision warnings, autonomous emergency breaking and emergency brake assistance. All of which will act to reinforce the black cab trade’s global reputation for safety.
LEVC is working with drivers and other organisations to ensure that TX drivers will be the world’s most connected cabbies. The new vehicle includes an on-board sat-nav to help drivers identify congestion and plan alternative routes, access to online charge-point maps and hailing apps for taking bookings.
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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.
]]>LEVC – the London EV Company – formerly London Taxi Company, confirms costs and prices for all new TX with eCity technology:
- Finance package, at £177 [1] weekly equivalent price, inclusive of the battery over 5 years.
- Typical fuel saving for average driver of a £100 [2] per week over current model.
- Compelling UK launch offer on warranty and servicing with roadside assistance programme all inclusive
- Five years full unlimited mileage battery warranty – industry leading for commercial EVs; Three years/90k miles free servicing; Three years/120k miles full vehicle warranty to include roadside assistance programme.
Tuesday 1 August 2017, London, England: On the 1st August LEVC (London EV Company) opens its order book for the all-new TX electric taxi with eCity technology.
Ahead of taking deposits for the first time and opening the order book, LEVC confirms final pricing and indicative running costs for the all-new TX model. The launch finance package – through which more than 90% of drivers are expected to buy the new TX – is confirmed at £177 per week, including the battery over five years. The outgoing TX4 model was priced at £167 per week over four years.
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.”
Welcoming the opening of order book, 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.”
The all new electric TX is based on eCity technology comprising a battery electric power train with range extender providing over 400 miles range between charges including well in excess of 70 miles with zero emissions.
The technology is purposefully designed for commercial operators that face demanding and unpredictable duty cycles which require complete range assurance, but also significant zero emissions capability for city centre operations.
As well as offering complete range assurance and flexibility, the TX with its eCity technology will also significantly reduce costs for taxi drivers. Currently, a taxi driver using the outgoing TX4 Euro 6 model with its 2.7-litre diesel engine, and driving an average of 115 miles per day, will spend around £150 per week on fuel. A taxi driver operating the same cycle in a new TX is estimated to save £100 per week on fuel.
Commenting on the fuel savings drivers will benefit from, LEVC’s Commercial Director, Richard Gordon, commented:
“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.”
Servicing of the TX will be easier and more reassured than ever, with LEVC’s UK launch offering of three years free servicing or 90,000 miles on the all new electric TX, as well as a full five-year unlimited mileage battery warranty and a full three year, 120,000 miles vehicle warranty. LEVC’s battery warranty is industry leading for commercial vehicles.
From the 1st August drivers that have registered their interest in the all new TX will be invited to a product preview where they will be taken through financing options, TX specifications, option packs, and given a personalised purchase proposition to suit their work patterns and individual circumstances. Drivers that have not yet registered their interest can do so at www.theelectrictaxi.co.uk.
Stephen Jones, Treasurer at United Cabbies Group, has today previewed the TX in our London, Brewery Road showroom and had this to say:
London Taxi Company’s (LTC) relaunch as LEVC marks the next stage in the company’s transformation. Underpinned by an investment totalling £325million, LEVC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geely, has the single-minded ambition to be the urban commercial vehicle provider of choice for cities around the world – with the production of the TX to be closely followed by a new commercial vehicle, also powered by eCity technology and offered internationally.
1 Business users only. Terms and conditions apply. Finance offer available on Personal Contract Purchase 6.9% APR Representative; figures based on TX at £55,599 OTR with a customer deposit of £3,250 followed by 60 monthly payments of £764.46 (equivalent weekly payments of £176.41) plus an optional final payment of £18,880 (including an option to purchase fee of £10). Based upon an annual contracted mileage of 30,000 (150,000 miles over term). All prices inclusive of VAT. Finance is provided by Black Horse Taxi Finance a trading style of Black Horse Ltd, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH.
2 Compared to a TX4 euro 6, A new TX will save a driver £100 a week in fuel based on 115 miles per day, five days per week. Assumptions: Petrol 116.7 ppl, Diesel 117.7 ppl, 14p/kWh. Overnight charge and 45 min day time top up charge. Fuel consumption based on 70% of official combined economy figure.
]]>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.
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