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London cabs to go 'lectric in 2009
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9754		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  captain cab [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:31 pm ]
Post subject:  London cabs to go 'lectric in 2009
London cabs to go 'lectric in 2009

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'Leccy Tech While denizens of New York and California will soon see the recently announced Mini E gliding down their streets, Londoners will have to make do with a 'leccy version of the city's famous black cab.

The Financial Times has reported that Chinese car maker Geely - which owns 23 per cent of Manganese Bronze, the UK-based maker (through subisdiary LTI) of the venerable and iconic TX4 London black cab - has been “in talks” with the Men from the Ministry here in the UK with a view to having electric cabs purring up and down Regent Street.

Development of the 'leccy cab will be undertaken by Tyne & Wear-based company The Tanfield Group under a deal announced back in April. The target date for the first vehicles to hit streets of London is “early 2009”.


LTI's black cab: I 'ad that Liffium Ion in the back once...

Technical details of the TX4 E are few and far between, but the aim is said to be a top speed of 50mph and a range between charges of 100 miles, which should be enough to get you 'sarf of the rivah' - or provide another excuse not to: “Sorry, guv, no charge left...”

The vehicle will use a lithium-ion iron phosphate battery pack, and is hoped to have a running cost of 4p a mile, though that's after the yet-to-be-determined initial purchase price. No news on where exactly the battery pack will go, either, BMW's answer - sticking it where the rear seats used to be - clearly not being an option.

All this being said, there doesn't appear to be anything in writing between Manganese and quango Transport for London (TfL) with whom relations have already been strained by the 12 TX4 cabs that caught fire in September.

Manganese may, however, be hoping that the hand of London Mayor Boris Johnson will be forced by his June invitation for manufacturers to put forward proposals for low-carbon cabs. As young Boris said at the time: "As well as significantly cutting carbon dioxide emissions, we're looking for taxis that are quieter and produce fewer air pollutants, which will be good news for anyone who spends time in London.”

Of course all this may have more to do with cabs for Beijing and other Chinese cities with serious air pollution problems, as Geely also owns 51 per cent of a Shanghai-based joint venture that will start producing TX4s in China come December.
Author:  Capt Taxi [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
As it's built and designed by LTI,does this mean the driver will be electrocuted?
Author:  Darren63 [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Capt Taxi wrote:
As it's built and designed by LTI,does this mean the driver will be electrocuted?


Yes, and for good measure he'll be caught on fire afterwards just to make sure. :lol:
Author:  Capt Taxi [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Also,the meter on these electric cabs;Do they take 10p or 20p coins?
Author:  skippy41 [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:09 am ]
Post subject: 
Capt Taxi wrote:
Also,the meter on these electric cabs;Do they take 10p or 20p coins?


Keep up Capt, its a kee or swip card now :lol: :lol:
Mind you you never now the expression a bob for the meter may return :lol: :lol:
Author:  Bart [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
A range of 100 miles is simply not workable. I do approx 150 miles on a shift and I live close to where I start working, the avarage Green badge travels perhaps 25 miles before he starts working and another 25 home again.
Author:  skippy41 [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Bart wrote:
A range of 100 miles is simply not workable. I do approx 150 miles on a shift and I live close to where I start working, the avarage Green badge travels perhaps 25 miles before he starts working and another 25 home again.


They may have to install quick charge points at ranks just like they have done for the e mini in some states over the pond they have cut the charging time from 18 hours to 2 and a half.
Mind you you could take one along to the guy that invented the wind up radio to see if he has a solution :wink: :lol: :lol:
Author:  Capt Taxi [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Given LTI's reputation for design and build,I can see the TX4E being popular in American states that have the death penalty.
After being found guilty,the prisoner is taken to prison in the TX4E and executed,simultaneously...
Author:  Bart [ Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
skippy41 wrote:
Bart wrote:
A range of 100 miles is simply not workable. I do approx 150 miles on a shift and I live close to where I start working, the avarage Green badge travels perhaps 25 miles before he starts working and another 25 home again.


They may have to install quick charge points at ranks just like they have done for the e mini in some states over the pond they have cut the charging time from 18 hours to 2 and a half.Mind you you could take one along to the guy that invented the wind up radio to see if he has a solution :wink: :lol: :lol:


I know it's quiet out there at times but I don't usually spend 2 1/2 hours on a rank.

the idea is a total non runner.
Author:  JD [ Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Bart wrote:
A range of 100 miles is simply not workable. I do approx 150 miles on a shift and I live close to where I start working, the avarage Green badge travels perhaps 25 miles before he starts working and another 25 home again.


Battery powered vehicles are the way forward but not with a maximum range of 100 miles.

In this case I will be very surprised if *reality* of expectation lives up to the hype.

Regards

JD
Author:  captain cab [ Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
http://www.tanfieldgroup.com/

I suspect the range will be a little further than we might have been led to believe....that aside I wonder if they have considered the benefits of a hybrid?

CC
Author:  cabbyman [ Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
skippy41 wrote:
Bart wrote:
A range of 100 miles is simply not workable. I do approx 150 miles on a shift and I live close to where I start working, the avarage Green badge travels perhaps 25 miles before he starts working and another 25 home again.


They may have to install quick charge points at ranks just like they have done for the e mini in some states over the pond they have cut the charging time from 18 hours to 2 and a half.
Mind you you could take one along to the guy that invented the wind up radio to see if he has a solution :wink: :lol: :lol:


"Now sir, about that tuk-tuk with battery and pedals that you wanted to licence........" :lol:
Author:  Capt Taxi [ Sat Oct 25, 2008 11:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Will I be able to rent the electric taxi on the ...flat ?
Author:  toots [ Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:20 am ]
Post subject: 
The HC drivers will be able to deliver the milk as they go, nice little side earner there :lol:
Author:  Capt Taxi [ Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:36 am ]
Post subject: 
These electric taxis or trolleytaxis as they will be known as;the pole from the roof to the overhead power cables is going to be long...

Has anyone go a picture of a trolleytaxi?
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