London gets first fully electric taxi since 1899
Sadiq Khan hopes vehicle will ‘accelerate the retirement of polluting diesel taxis from city streets across the UK’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Its predecessor had a range of 30 miles between each charge, a top speed of 12mph and man carrying a red flag in front. That was 1899.
One-hundred-and-ten years on and the first fully electric taxi to take to London's streets can go up to 187 miles on a single charge and can drive at speeds more suited to the modern road.
Based on the Nissan e-NV200 Evalia, the Dynamo Taxi will be the first 100 per cent electric cab in the capital since the Bersey.
It costs £55,495, but drivers will be able to claim £7,500 in government grant funding for electric cars.
The company said drivers will spend just £3-6 to cover 90 to 120 miles a day, the average distance a London taxi driver covers, which typically costs £25 a day.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said: “Air pollution is a national health crisis that is stunting the lung development of our children and leading to thousands of premature deaths.
“We have cut pollution by a third in central London by introducing the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone and worked tirelessly to clean up the bus and taxi fleet.”
He added: “Working with cabbies to go electric is a key part of our plans to improve London’s air quality.
“The Dynamo Taxi will accelerate the retirement of polluting diesel taxis from city streets across the UK, improving air quality, helping to tackle the climate emergency and to create a green economy.
“I’ve been delighted by the number of cabbies who have applied for our £42m fund to trade in their older, dirtier vehicles earlier – doing their bit to improve our filthy air.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments