Taxi Driver Online

The taxi revolution has begun as first electric vehicle hits the streets

THE first electric taxi in Brighton and Hove is now on the road and proving a big hit with passengers. Southern Taxis driver Tony Head has been planning the move over to electric for four years and says it is the “best thing he has ever done”.

The brand new Kia Soul is saving Tony, a driver with Southern Taxis for 11 years, around £400 a month in diesel which has financed the new vehicle. The taxi’s lithium ion battery lasts about 150 miles before it needs recharging at a public charge point in Brighton or at home overnight on a normal three-pin socket.

Tony said: “I drive about 80 miles a day so I can get two days’ work out the car before it needs recharging. “So far it is working really well.” If Tony wants to do an out-of-town journey and needs to recharge, there are rapid charge points on motorways that give an 80% battery boost in just 30 minutes. He said: “It is the best thing I’ve ever done.

“It’s given me a new lease of life and, as well as financial benefits, I know it’s making a big difference to the environment with zero emissions. “Passengers notice the quietness and smoothness of the car and I’ve had a great reaction from everyone.” Another bonus for Tony is that he pays no road tax and gets a 50% reduction on his resident’s parking permit.

Southern Taxis’ managing director Andy Cheesman said: “We’re delighted that Southern Taxis has put the first electric taxi on the streets of Brighton and Hove. “It’s fantastic for the environment and Tony benefits from saving the cost of fuel. “I hope that this electric taxi will be the first of many in the city.”

Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s environment and transport committee, said: “It’s great to see Southern Taxis leading the way towards low emission taxi fleets for Brighton and Hove. “Taxis are a vital part of the city’s public transport network and cleaner engines mean cleaner air for everyone and a far better environment.”

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IDFIMH

Bet his misses will be delighted with that comment.

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IDFIMH

Do they really expect us to believe that passengers on out of town runs will be happy to twiddle there thumbs at motorway services for half an hour ?

I would hope anyone with a 100% electric car at present is well aware their days of long distance work are over.

Until such time a reasonable amount of mileage is doable under one charge. IMO that is 300 miles.

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IDFIMH

You'd be pushed to save £400 a month on fuel if your work load is reduced by 50% due to the limitations of an electric cars working range, you may Technically save £400 on previous fuel consumption usage but if your only going to get half the work done you end up losing £600 month in runs unless you have a second car as a fall back.

I could not work out in the Sticks with a Leccy car, I may get to the airport but I'd probably not get back and thats just one run a day as compared to 2 or 3 runs at the busier times of year.

400 Miles per charge guaranteed through rain, sleet or snow during the daily 18 hours of winter darkness and a price tag of no more than £24,000 then It might get my interest.

But i can drive 400 plus miles per day which is even more profitable.

Dunno..by nature the type of client that goes out of their way to find a leccy Taxi just might, my problem is that I'd be struggling not to fall out with such people.

I'm sure they wouldn't mind you leaving the meter running while it's charging.

A bit on the small side as well

Enough about your penis skippy, what do you think of the car?

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Former taxi driver

Yes, but lets hope bigger batteries come along attached to bigger motors allowing longer journeys.

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IDFIMH

And bigger Nuclear power stations to power these Dodgem cars.

Or wind farms.

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IDFIMH