Name change for Coventry Taxi Company
COVENTRY’S famed London Taxi Company is ditching the ‘taxi’ part of its name as part of a rebirth to mark the unveiling of its new electric cab.
The Holyhead Road manufacturer unveiled its all-new hybrid electric London taxi - the TX - for the first time on the streets of London.
The company also announced a name change from the London Taxi Company (LTC) to the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) - meaning ‘taxi’ will not form part of its name for the first time since it was founded in 1948. It said the rebrand represented its vision to become the “urban commercial vehicle provider of choice across the world”.
Its new electric taxi will be followed in due course by an electric van.
The TX unveiling also coincided with news that the company has signed a deal with a company to import the new model to the Netherlands, with an initial order of 225 vehicles.
And the good news for taxi drivers is that LEVC says it will save them an average of £100 a week.
Production of the new TX taxi will take place at a new manufacturing facility in Ansty Park, which represents a £325 million investment by the company’s Chinese owners Geely.
LEVC CEO Chris Gubbey said: “Today is an incredibly exciting day for the company, for the world’s cities, for the air we breathe and for the drivers of commercial vehicles.
“The launch of LEVC marks Britain’s leadership as a first mover in creating the world’s only dedicated electric vehicle company for the urban commercial market.”
As part of the TX unveiling LEVC showcased its eCity technology which powers the vehicle.
It consists of an advanced battery electric powertrain with a small petrol generator.
Applied to the all-new electric TX, the technology allows for a range of more than 400 miles including more than 70 miles range with zero emissions.
Speaking about the benefits for taxi drivers, Mr Gubbey added: “From our heritage as the manufacturer of the iconic London taxi, we have unparalleled insight into the needs of commercial operators. “Drawing on the best
British design and engineering as well as technical expertise from our sister company Volvo, our products will help transform city living and provide taxi drivers with an average weekly fuel saving of £100 compared with our outgoing diesel model.”
Due to officially launch in London later this year, LEVC is finalising its testing regime for the TX which has taken it to the extreme heat of the Arizona desert and freezing temperatures in the Arctic Circle. LEVC expects strong demand from its launch market in London once the order book opens in August.
Mr Gubbey said London was leading the way in improving air quality and the TX would help with that.