TX4E electric taxi will only appeal to some London cabbies
Whether the new TX4E electric cab is right for your favorite London cab driver just might have a lot to do with where that driver lives. According to a story in the South China Morning Post (can only find a Lexis Nexis link that probably won't work), the upcoming all-electric black cab made by London Taxis International, part of Manganese Bronze, has one major drawback: a 100-mile range. "Hey," you might be saying to yourself, "an EV with that sort of range would be perfect for me." And that might be the case. But for London cab drivers who live outside the city - and therefore need to commute 40 or so miles a day from home to downtown - the TX4E just isn't going to cut it.The general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, Bob Oddy, told the Post that only about 40 percent of London cabbies will be able to be able work a full eight-hour shift on a 100-mile charge. A company spokesperson defended the cab and said that drivers will be able to get a one-hour "quick charge" that will refill the battery 25 percent when needed. Considering the slow but steady increase in EV charging stations, recharging is at least a possibility. Of course, for cabbies, time is money, so if they're not the leisurely lunch types, this particular EV isn't the right car. Still, shifting 40 percent of London cabs from diesel to electrons would be a nice move.
[Source: South China Morning Post]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GenWaylaid 7:58PM (5/08/2008)
Maybe they could benefit from a removable battery pack that was part of a battery-swap system. The spare pack could go in the trunk to provide extra range for commuting, then get turned in at the start of working hours. At the end of the day, the cabbie picks up a new trunk pack to get home.
A combination of fixed and removable battery packs like that might expand the appeal of EVs to those with longer commutes in the U.S., too. It's still no good for long road trips, though, since a removable pack would have to eat into luggage space.
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Chris 7:00AM (5/09/2008)
Gen,
Maybe the rest of the crowd will get the hint that this vehicle isn't ready for prime time. Thats the real issue here.
100 mile range? Under what conditions? what if they need to run the A/C? The heater?
Also, quick charge and one hour don't belong in the same sentence. Taxi drivers don't make money on idle time.
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David Wright 8:34AM (5/09/2008)
My money is on the Tx4e being beaten to market by a taxi version of the recently launched Smith Ampere http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com/Ampere_Brochure.pdf
Ford, who worked very closely with Smith EV in developing the Ampere (which is based on the Ford Transit Connect and carries a Ford badge on the front), displayed a yellow taxi version of the Connect at shows in Chicago and New York. See http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080318.007/ford-transit-connect-taxi
Smith EV is involved in both taxi projects - so presumably doesn't mind which one reaches fruition soonest. But the Ford cab looks nearer to being ready and would likely find a wider market.
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Tim 10:06AM (5/09/2008)
Chris (#2) is absolutely WRONG! Electric cars ARE ready for prime time for MOST people, just not ALL people.
Why? NO vehicle can be all things to all people. Those who believe that it would fit their needs should buy one NOW. Others will have to wait for the new battery technology to hit the mainstream.
Here are the facts: According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Omnibus Household Survey:
78% of us drive less than 40 miles each day and 92% of all One-Way trips are less than 40 miles (with a plug at each end of the trip).
http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/06/how-did-gm-determine-that-78-of-commuters-drive-less-than-40-miles-per-day/
The problem is that most people NEED highway speeds during their commute and the big car companies who can afford to crash-certify new cars have not had the will to REALLY make electric cars because they require less service and repair over their lifespan when compared to ICE smokers. There is just too much profits in service dealer & repairs.
Example: I just spent $500.00 for a starter and $700.00 for an intake manifold PLUS $200.00 to put them both on. NONE of this would have been necessary if the car were electric.
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