The £1.2m scheme to electrify Coventry's taxis for City of Culture
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/ ... e-15110746
The Go Electric Taxi scheme aims to modernise Coventry’s taxi fleet ahead of the city being the UK City of Culture in 2021
Coventry City Councillors Kamran Caan, Jayne Innes and Jim O'Boyle pictured outside the council house for the handover of the first electric London taxi. Pictured with driver Thiruchelvam Selvaratnam (Image: Birmingham Mail)
Coventry is poised to become a pace-setter in the UK for electric taxis with the launch of an ambitious scheme aimed at encouraging drivers to make the switch from oil burners to EVs.
The aim of the Go Electric Taxi scheme is to modernise Coventry’s taxi fleet ahead of the city being the UK City of Culture in 2021.
The scheme is being launched on Wednesday, September 5, by Coventry City Council, though a number of key partners are also on-board.
It is hoped the scheme could provide a blueprint to encourage electric taxi adoption in other UK cities, as well as improving air quality in Coventry.
The project will see over £1.2m invested in charging infrastructure and other measures.
LEVC, ESB, Siemens and Gett are involved
It is being supported by LEVC, which manufactures electric taxis in Coventry, the Irish energy company ESB, Siemens and taxi app Gett.
The initiative includes the offer of a two-week test drive to all Coventry Hackney Carriage drivers, a £2,500 incentive for the first 60 taxi drivers who go electric, free electric charging during a trial period, as well as zero commission fares on taxi app bookings.
In terms of infrastructure 39 rapid charging points will be installed by ESB and Siemens.
LEVC’s electric taxis will offer passengers laptop charging, mobile phone charging, free WiFi and the option to pay by card.
The new electric taxi loan scheme and charging points are part of a city-wide drive to cut air pollution.
Commitment to cutting air pollution
Cllr Kamran Caan, the council’s cabinet member for public health and sport said: “We are committed to cutting air pollution in Coventry because we know that this will bring health benefits to people, particularly vulnerable residents with pre-existing health conditions.
“Electric vehicles are the future both nationally and globally. I hope that Hackney cab drivers will take the opportunity to try out the loan scheme.
“The vehicles are built locally – and the number of charging points is increasing all of the time.”
Black cabs are iconic
Jesse Norman, Minister for Roads and the Future of Mobility said: “Britain’s black cabs are iconic around the world.
“That is why the Government is supporting this initiative with £1.2 million, helping Coventry to champion these new electric models.
“The Government is committed to improving the country’s air quality and creating a low carbon economy, which is already worth billions.
“Low emission vehicles will be a key part of that transition, showing that we can meet our climate change obligations and also promote economic growth.”
The driver who made the switch
One of the Coventry drivers who has already made the switch from diesel to electric power is Kartar Sabraiwal.
The 59-year-old has purchased one of the new TX models, his sixth Coventry taxi.
Mr Sabraiwal said it would slash his fuel bills and help him save money.
Covering 70-100 miles a day, he estimates he will save £400 a month.
He said: “Electric vehicles are the future – and will mean a smoother, more pleasant ride for my passengers as well as helping clean up Coventry’s air.
“The fact I will be financially better off from making the switch is also a big bonus.”
Improving charging infrastructure
In addition, the project aims to tackle some of the biggest barriers to EV uptake – including concern about charging infrastructure.
The scheme will also see four LEVC TXs used as extended test drive vehicles – offering Coventry cab drivers a chance to experience an electric taxi first-hand.
Chris Gubbey, CEO of LEVC, said: “Coventry has always been the home of the black cab and this new scheme will ensure that Coventry’s taxi sector has one of the most modern, customer-centric fleets in the UK.
“These extended trials will give drivers a chance to get comfortable with our proven EV technology and see how much the vehicle delights passengers.”
LEVC has been producing the TX eCity at its £325m Ansty Park factory since the start of the year, although most of the vehicles produced so far have been sold in London. LEVC currently employs around 800 people in the city, and as production ramps up is set to increase its workforce to around 1,500 people.
How it's being funded
Under this initiative, the rapid charging network in the city will be funded by both the UK Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and investment by ESB.
Siemens will supply and maintain the multi-standard rapid charging units.
All new electric cabbies can benefit from zero commission on all fares taken with Gett taxi App for the first six months.
