Geely-owned London EV Company (LEVC) – you may remember it better by its previous name, the London Taxi Company – has officially unveiled its six-seater, range-extended electric taxi at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Despite the company name, LEVC has chosen ‘taxi beige’ as the colour of choice for its display vehicle in Germany, perhaps fitting as a match with the host country’s taxi colour.
Having undergone extensive testing in winter and hot weather, the new TX six-seater taxi boasts of a battery electric powertrain, augmented by a small petrol generator for range extension; in the TX, an overall range of more than 640 km is possible, with 120 km of zero emissions range available from that total.
The electric TX six-seater taxi’s eCity technology – LEVC’s name for the electric drive technology in the company’s latest model – has been designed for commercial operators who will frequently encounter demanding and unpredictable duty cycles, which will include demands for zero-emissions capability when it is tasked with operating in urban centres, while reducing running costs for its operators.
Its bonded aluminium construction avoids the weight penalties of more traditional methods such as welding or riveting, which helps offset the weight of the taxi’s main battery while maintaining structural strength. The latest is structural design knowledge, materials, passive safety and driver assistance systems make the latest six-passenger TX is the company’s safest ever, says LEVC.
Creature comforts in the new TX include charging points for mobile phones and Wi-Fi connectivity, while a new retractable integrated ramp offers quicker and easier wheelchair access; induction loops are in place for hearing aids, while grab handles and seat edges have a visually contrasting finish to aid the partially sighted. For especially convenient entry and egress, the TX’s rear doors open to 90 degrees.
“From our heritage as the manufacturer of the iconic London Taxi, we have unparalleled insight into the needs of commercial operators and passengers. Drawing on the best of British design and engineering as well as technical expertise from our sister company Volvo, our products will help transform city living and urban air quality,” said LEVC chief executive officer Chris Gubbey.
Once the TX range-extended electric taxi goes into production, a new light commercial vehicle will follow, and that too will feature eCity technology, and will also be made available in various markets internationally.
GALLERY: 2018 London Taxi (now London EV Company) spyshots
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Lots of Volvo in that interior.
See under the leadership of Geely and China, see how this company is improving by leaps and bounds. I hope more companies in Malaysia are sold to China so that, the culture of working hard rubs off to Malaysians.
Thank you China for saving this London Taxi Company, Proton and also Malaysia.
We need you more.
We as in London? Hmm… with Brexit, oh yes need China come save Ingland.
suicide door <3
Nanti basher says london dah jual to china..
You know very little about the real business world. Wake up friend. Our oil money has been squandered. It is time to face the music.