The first fully approved, 100 per cent electric Black Cab has made its debut in London.
UK-based Dynamo has unveiled the first 100 percent electric, zero emission, ‘Hackney Carriage’ black cab for London that has been officially approved by Transport for London (TfL).
The last time London streets saw an electric taxi was during the reign of Queen Victoria 120 years ago.
The Bersey Taxi, was introduced in 1897 and was operational until 1899, with a range of 50km between each recharge.
The new Dynamo Taxi is based on a Nissan e-NV200 Evalia MPV.
It has a range of up to 300km from a single charge (WLTP City), far more than the average distance taxi drivers cover daily, and is compatible with 50kW CHAdeMO rapid charging.
The average taxi driver in London covers a distance of 150 to 200km a day, spending roughly £25 in fuel a day.
Using a home charger, it will cost Dynamo Taxi drivers £3-£6 in electricity to cover the same distance, saving drivers nearly £20 a day in running costs alone.
To curb emissions, Transport for London has introduced new, tougher, licencing requirements for new taxis, limiting their emissions to 50g/km CO2 and a mandatory zero emissions range of at least 50km.
Any new taxi vehicle has to meet these emissions criteria to operate within London***.
The Dynamo Taxi is expected to accelerate the retirement of current diesel taxis from city streets across the UK, improving air quality. Taxis currently account for 16 per cent of all vehicle nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in central London, according to TfL figures**.
London has also committed to being a zero carbon city by 2050, with plans to introduce local zero emissions zones on top of the current ULEZ.
Research by the Mayor’s office has found the London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone has reduced roadside Nitrogen Oxide pollution by a third since its introduction in April.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan 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 said.
“London’s black cabs are known around the world, which is why I am pleased to launch the first all-electric London black cab by Dynamo.
“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 £42 million fund to trade in their older, dirtier vehicles earlier – doing their bit to improve our filthy air.”
The Dynamo Taxi costs £55,495, and is eligible for £7,500 in Government Plug-in Car Grant funding bringing the price down to £47,995 for drivers, making it very competitive in the EV taxi market.
In Australia, the majority of taxi owners have switched to the Toyota Camry Hybrid, but receive no Government support.
The new electric Dynamo Taxi
The new electric Dynamo Taxi
The new electric Dynamo Taxi
Dynamo Taxi Spec Sheet
| e-NV200 Evalia Specification | |
| Motor | 80kW electric motor |
| Motor type | AC synchronous |
| Maximum motor output | 80kW/109 PS |
| Maximum torque* | 254 Nm |
| Maximum rpm | 10,500 |
| Battery type | Laminated lithium-ion |
| Voltage | 360 |
| Capacity | 40 kWh |
| Number of battery cells | 192 |
| On board charger | 6.6kW |
| Rapid charging capability | 50kW |
| Charging cable | 6-metre long / 3.5Kg weight |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Gear ratios | Single speed gearbox |
| Driven wheels | Front |
| Suspension front | Independent MacPherson strut |
| Suspension rear | Torsion beam axle |
| Steering | Electric, power assisted |
| Braking system | Friction and regenerative |
| Front brake | Disc/283mm |
| Rear disc | Disc/292mm |
| Turning circle | Under 25-feet |
| Overall height | 1,893 mm |
| Overall length | 4,560 mm |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2,220 Kg |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm |
| Overhang front | 987.2 mm |
| Overhang rear | 846.6 mm |
| Track front | 1,530 mm |
| Track rear | 1,530 mm |
| Ground clearance | 125mm |
| Overall width without mirrors | 1,755 mm |
| Overall width including mirrors | 2,011 mm |
| Front and rear tyre size | 195/65R15 |
| Range | 300km (WLTP City) / 200km (WLTP Combined) |
| Electricity consumption** | 165 Wh/km |
| Acceleration (0-60mph) | 14 Seconds |
| Max speed | 122km/h |
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