Taxi Driver Online

Worth visiting the website to view the video, if only to see this chap in all his finery.

Take a look inside Bristol’s first electric taxi

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bris ... st-1816639

It might look like the city's other hackney cabs, but it has one big difference


Marchin Kosiecki (Image: BristolLive)

Bristol’s first electric taxi has started picking up fares across the city.

Dubbed Bristol’s 'blue-green taxi', the TX cab was given its Bristol City Council licence plates in a small ceremony on Friday, July 20.

Owned by Marcin Kosiecki, the taxi is the first electric hackney cab - which means it can be flagged down on the street with no prior booking - in Bristol.

Mr Kosiecki said his passion for the environment and urge to tackle climate change inspired to take on the green taxi, which retails for around £55,000.

“I am extremely excited to be the first operator of an electric blue hackney cab in Bristol and to be on the forefront of a new wave of environmentally friendly taxi options,” he said.

“I believe passionately that Bristol is a city with a strong eco-friendly core with a desire to do something to tackle climate change.

“I have made this investment to do my bit and to encourage others to do theirs.

“I hope that residents, visitors and those passing through Bristol will begin to see and use more electric taxis in future as we move together as city towards becoming carbon neutral by 2050.”

The TX model is supplied by London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) and is the world’s first purpose built electric taxi.

Styled on the classic black cab the vehicle is built from the bottom up to include a range of accessibility features that ensure the vehicle can be accessed by users with a range of needs.

Features including an accessibility ramp, retractable step, swivel seat and quick-fasten wheelchair restraints make this model one of the most accessible vehicles on the road.

The taxi is also a form of future proofing for Mr Kosiecki, as the council is in the process of developing a clean air zone which may include congestion-style charging zones for taxis and certain private motorists. Electric cars would be exempt from any charges.

Mhairi Threlfall, cabinet member for Transport and Connectivity, said: “I am delighted to welcome Marcin and his new electric blue hackney cab to Bristol.


Marchin Kosiecki and Labour councillor, Mhairi Threlfall (Image: BristolLive)

“His passion and determination to be a part of the solution to climate change is inspiring - we couldn’t ask for a better ambassador for what we’re trying to achieve in Bristol.

“In the long term, we hope to see many more electric vehicles hitting the streets of Bristol and are taking steps right now to expand charging points and make better use of these types of vehicles as part of our own fleet.

“We have a bold ambition to be a carbon neutral city by 2050 and tackle our poor air quality, which requires that we work across sectors and with a range of private and public bodies to lay down action that will contribute to meeting that target.”

Had a good look at a demo model today on the rank. Quite impressed apart from the price and lack of charging points here in Chester.