British electric Taxi gets approved for use in France

Manufactured in Coventry by the London Electric Vehicle Company, the TX eCity is marketed as “the world’s most advanced electric taxi”. It combines an electric motor with a small petrol engine ‘range extender’. “Range extender” kicks in when the batteries run flat.

According to LEVC, this arrangement allows the eCity taxi to manage up to 377 miles before it needs refuelling and recharging.

LEVC also says that the TX eCity offers far lower running costs than its conventionally fuelled predecessor. Saving are about 100 pounds a week.

As a result, the taxi has been popular both in London and abroad. More than 600 examples already roaming the British capital, while Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg and Oslo all see the eCity on their streets.

But despite the Parisian authorities’ permission to launch the TX eCity in France the new taxi will not go on sale until the first half of next year because of negotiations with the importer. France lead battle on air pollution, so next move is banning all pre-2005 diesels in next year.

In a statement, LEVC said the new taxis came at a “vital time” and would have “a significant impact on Paris’ 20,000 taxis.”

Chris Gubbey, CEO of the company, said:

“Given the air pollution difficulties facing French cities, we are very much looking forward to giving both drivers and passengers new options in Paris. We look forward to serving the cities of France alongside those in Norway, the Netherlands and Germany.”

Claire Perry, Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, said:

“This is a time to build on our successes and explain the huge opportunities for business and young people of a cleaner economy. I’m delighted to see how many more businesses and organisations such as LEVC are seizing this multi-billion-pound opportunity. They are doing great job to energize their communities to tackle the very serious threat of climate change.”