Hybrid Black Cab - TX5
Discussion
http://arstechnica.co.uk/cars/2015/10/londons-next...
What do we make of the next London cab?
I for one quite like the looks (from some angles) and I like the hub caps. Theres a certain (if only small) 50's americana flavour to it to my eyes.
No real deets on the powertrain. They mention a small petrol motor and a small battery capable only of 30 miles pure EV driving.
To my mind they've missed a trick, I think the Chevy Volt approach needn't have been explored. They could have went full EV. Perhaps they are saving that for the TX6? It just seems like, if they could start and design a new cab from the ground up as an EV, they could enjoy similar range to a tesla, perhaps even more as they wouldn't need such powerful motors.
Could do the days mini cabbing on a single charge. Or perhaps 1 rapid charge midday.
What do we make of the next London cab?
I for one quite like the looks (from some angles) and I like the hub caps. Theres a certain (if only small) 50's americana flavour to it to my eyes.
No real deets on the powertrain. They mention a small petrol motor and a small battery capable only of 30 miles pure EV driving.
To my mind they've missed a trick, I think the Chevy Volt approach needn't have been explored. They could have went full EV. Perhaps they are saving that for the TX6? It just seems like, if they could start and design a new cab from the ground up as an EV, they could enjoy similar range to a tesla, perhaps even more as they wouldn't need such powerful motors.
Could do the days mini cabbing on a single charge. Or perhaps 1 rapid charge midday.
I quite like it. Agree with LordFlathead that it is much better than Nissan's effort.
TBH I'm surprised that the hybridisation of black cabs hasn't happened sooner.
I wonder by how much this will enable black cab drivers to cut their fuel bills, and whether that will enable them to lower fares. I imagine that with Uber etc. the black cab trade is having a pretty hard time at present.
Thinking about it, one of these could make the perfect replacement for a Prius+ MPV. I wonder if I can order one
TBH I'm surprised that the hybridisation of black cabs hasn't happened sooner.
I wonder by how much this will enable black cab drivers to cut their fuel bills, and whether that will enable them to lower fares. I imagine that with Uber etc. the black cab trade is having a pretty hard time at present.
Thinking about it, one of these could make the perfect replacement for a Prius+ MPV. I wonder if I can order one
The problem is that a lot of taxis get driven by more than one driver per day - so the idea of having to stop for an hour to charge up is a non-starter.
Having them running a range extended petrol hybrid will cut a lot of emissions in the parts of the city where emissions are really bad, whilst making sure that airport runs aren't out of the question.
Having them running a range extended petrol hybrid will cut a lot of emissions in the parts of the city where emissions are really bad, whilst making sure that airport runs aren't out of the question.
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