06/12/2017

Electric cabs hit London

Reuters reports that London's black cabs are turning electric.

The London Electric Vehicle Company's new electric black cab is 'bringing clean air to London' according to Chris Gubbey, chief executive of company, a unit owned by Chinese-owned Geely.

'However, everything is new. It (has an) all-aluminium body and electric engine with range extender,' he said.

While cabbies may find the upfront cost of £55,000 for the new vehicle, Chris said there are savings of around £100 per week to be made on fuel costs.

'It's not a step up, it's a thousand steps up, it's a different world,' said Pat Follen, who switched to one of the new vehicles after nearly 10 years driving older versions. 'All you can hear really is the tires on the tarmac - and the wind!'

London is poised to adopt new rules which mean new taxis must be either hybrid or completely emission free, which should see around 9,000 electric taxes on London's streets by 2021.