The LEVC TX[1] (previously known as the TX5) is a purpose-built hackney carriage manufactured by the British commercial vehicle maker London EV Company (LEVC), a subsidiary of the Chinese auto-maker Geely.[2] It is the latest in a succession of purpose-built hackney carriages produced by LEVC and various predecessor entities. The LEVC TX is a plug-in hybrid range-extender electric vehicle.[2][3] The vehicle is designed to comply with Transport for London’s Taxi Private Hire regulations, which banned new diesel-powered taxis from January 2018, requiring zero-emissions capability.[4]
LEVC TX | |
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![]() 2019 LEVC TX Vista in Leamington Spa | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | LEVC |
Production | 2017–present 2019–present (China) |
Assembly | United Kingdom: Coventry (Ansty Park plant) China: Yiwu (Geely's Yiwu) |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | Hackney carriage |
Layout | Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive |
Doors | Conventional doors (front)/Coach Doors (rear) |
Related | LEVC VN5 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.5L B3154T I3 (VEA GEP3) range extender |
Electric motor | 2x 110 kW (150 PS) Siemens permanent magnet synchronous motor |
Hybrid drivetrain | Plug-in Series hybrid |
Battery | 31 kW·h lithium ion 400 V |
Range | 377 miles (607 km) |
Electric range | 80.6 miles (129.7 km) |
Plug-in charging |
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Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,986 mm (117.6 in) |
Length | 4,857 mm (191.2 in) |
Width |
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Height | 1,888 mm (74.3 in) |
Kerb weight | 2,230 kg (4,916 lb) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | TX4 |
In the late 2000s, Geely was in talks over the possibility of converting London's black cabs into electric-powered vehicles.[5] From 2014, Geely invested £480m in LEVC to develop a new taxi, with a new factory to be built in Coventry.[6][7][8] Geely hoped to manufacture 36,000 vehicles per annum.[9] The vehicle entered production in 2017.[6]
The LEVC TX is built on a unique platform, underpinned by a bonded aluminium chassis built in the UK, giving the LEVC TX a 32 percent parts localisation rate by value. China and Europe each account for 32 percent of the content, while United States content is 4 percent.[10]
The LEVC TX is powered by a full-electric hybrid drivetrain. It drives in full-electric mode all the time, but is recharged by an 81-horsepower (60 kW; 82 PS) Volvo-sourced 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine. The LEVC TX is fitted with a 33 kilowatt-hours (120 MJ) battery pack supplied by LG Chem, and powers a 110-kilowatt (148 hp; 150 PS) Siemens-built electric motor for traction.[11] When the battery pack has insufficient charge to power the vehicle, the petrol engine is claimed to achieve 36.7 mpg‑imp (7.7 L/100 km; 30.6 mpg‑US).[12]
The charge connectors are mounted either side of the radiator grille, and are a CCS socket, capable of 50 kW DC and 22 kW AC, and an optional 50 kW capable CHAdeMO connector.[13]
The TX took advantage of 2018 Transport for London rules that allowed only zero-emission capable vehicles to become additions to the city's taxi fleet.[14] By February 2018 it was the only taxi capable of meeting these rules.[14][15]
By April 2022, over 5,000 TX's has been sold in London, around a third of London's taxi fleet.[16] In May 2022, LEVC announced that over 7,000 taxis had been sold worldwide.[17]
London Hackney Carriage Taxicabs | |||||||
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Historical |
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Conditions of Fitness compliant models (1906–) |
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Other |
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