London cabbie gets first new electric taxi made in Cov

THE first of the new electric London taxis being made in Coventry has been handed over to a cabbie in the capital.

Black cab driver David Harris from Chingford was the first cabbie to receive the keys to the London EV Company’s new TX electric taxi

The 46-year-old former professional tennis player has been a driver for 21 years and revealed he expects to save several hundred pounds a month in running costs compared to his old diesel cab.

The lean grean TX is powered by LEVC’s eCity technology comprising an advanced electric powertrain with a small back-up petrol generator.

It allows for a range of up to 400 miles, including 80 miles range with zero emissions, helping to improve urban air quality.

The latest London taxi also has extra space, boasting six passenger seats and forward facing wheelchair access.

It also offers customers the opportunity to stay connected on the go, with power sockets for laptops, USB ports, and on-board Wi-Fi.

The handover of the vehicle to Mr Harris took place at LEVC’s main London dealership in Brewery Road, north London with the first fare-paying passenger collected soon after in central London

LEVC said deliveries of the new TX have now begun in earnest with hundreds expected to hit the streets of London over the coming months.

Mr Harris was one of the first drivers to put down a deposit for the new electric taxi when order books opened in summer 2017.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get the keys to my new TX electric taxi and there are two reasons I bought the cab. First, I can’t wait to see the response from passengers, I know that they’re going to love it. And second, I’m going to see some significant savings on running the electric taxi.

“Even though I can’t charge the vehicle at home, I should be able to charge the cab once a day at Heathrow. Combined with lower servicing and overall running costs, this means I should end up £500 to £600 a month better off before I even go out to work.”

Chris Gubbey, CEO of LEVC, said: “It’s a momentous day for LEVC and the TX. It’s the first of many clean air, zero emission taxis that will be hitting the streets of London, and we are just as excited as David is.

“Hearing how this vehicle will impact his life, and the vast savings he will make month after month, is just fantastic.

“We can’t wait to see and hear the reaction from passenger as they experience the new TX for the first time.”

The TX is being built at LEVC’s new state-of-the-art factory at Ansty Park.

The production facility represents an investment of £325million by parent company Geely.