LONDON’S BLACK CABS ARE TURNING GREEN
ALL hail the electric black taxi cab. For the first time, there are now more new ‘green’ TX taxis from LEVC (levc.com) on the streets of London than old-style diesel-powered TX4s.
Built in Coventry and driven in cities around the UK and the world, the electric TX was launched in 2018 when I drove one for myself around the capital city’s streets.
It has a flexible space for up to six passengers and is fitted with an integrated wheelchair ramp, enabling the TX to take a forward-facing wheelchair — the only taxi of its kind to do so.
LEVC, part of China’s Geely group which also owns Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, said: ‘Since launch, the TX has travelled more than 534 million miles and prevented 162,000 tonnes of CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere.’
Alex Nan, CEO of LEVC which has a state-of-the-art factory at Ansty, near Coventry, where for decades traditional black cabs have been manufactured, said: ‘We are witnessing a significant tipping point in the push towards cleaner transportation, with the TX overtaking the diesel-powered TX4 as the cab of choice in London.
‘ Since LEVC launched the revolutionary TX taxi, it has successfully delivered an unrivalled sustainable mobility solution, perfectly suited for urban environments.’
Helen Chapman, Transport for London’s Director of Licensing, Regulation and Charging, said: ‘It is great to see almost half the entire taxi fleet is now zero-emissions capable and there are now more LEVC TX taxis than any model of diesel black cabs in the capital.
‘Alongside reductions to emissions these modern vehicles deliver a really comfortable experience for both driver and passenger.’