The first electric black cabs just hit London’s streets

London’s first electric black cabs have hit the capital’s streets, paving the way for zero emission taxis.

Created by London EV Company (LEVC), the new electric TX taxi rocks the iconic black cab design but with a modernised twist, as well as a powertrain that doesn’t belch out polluting diesel fumes.

Claiming the TX taxi to be the most advanced electric taxi in the world, LEVC chief executive Chris Gubbey, touted the taxi’s green and lean credentials.

“After extensive testing, LEVC’s new taxi is ready to do the job it was made for: transport people around this great city of London safely, cleanly and stylishly. Better for passengers, more cost effective for drivers, it will play a major role in helping to improve air quality benefiting all Londoners,” he said.

With space for six people, wheelchair accessibility, air conditioning and even Wi-Fi and phone chargers, the TX taxi is set to wake up the world of London cabbies. And it comes just in time too, as Transport for London (TfL) has ruled that all new licensed taxis must be zero emissions capable by 2018.

Anyone who’s been in the Oxford Circus region of Central London will likely know how clogged with fumes and harmful emissions the city can get with its legions of old black cabs. So the TfL’s missive and the work LEVC has done should help make London’s air clean again.

The TX taxi also comes with a multi-filter system so it can scrub gasses and particles from the air being fed into the cabin.

And to make the taxi safer, it has autonomous braking assistance and collision warnings, thereby helping cabbies avoid fender-benders with the other cars, bikes, buses and unaware tourists that fill London’s streets.

So the future of taxi transport looks to be cleaner, slicker and more comfortable for Londoners. Surely that’s cause for a festive toast this December?

Related: Meet the one-pedal electric Nissan Leaf

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