ELECTRIC HYBRID: Is it cheaper to run a LEVC TX taxi off petrol at the moment?
If you are a taxi driver or a business owner looking for a greener and more cost-effective way of transporting people or goods, you will of course have heard of LEVC’s TX electric taxi.
These vehicles are powered by an innovative eCity technology, which combines a fully electric drivetrain with a petrol range-extender. But how does this technology work, and is it cheaper to run a LEVC off petrol at the moment?
The eCity technology allows the LEVC vehicles to drive in full-electric mode all the time, using a battery that can be recharged overnight or at public charging points. The battery provides a pure electric range of up to 63 miles for TX models, which is enough to cover most urban journeys without emitting any tailpipe emissions.
However, unlike other electric vehicles that need to stop and recharge when the battery runs out, the LEVC vehicles can keep going thanks to a petrol range-extender. This is a small engine that acts as a generator, producing electricity to recharge the battery on the go. The range-extender does not power the wheels directly, but only kicks in when the battery level drops below a certain threshold. This way, the LEVC vehicles can achieve an overall range of around 300 miles with a full tank of petrol, eliminating any range anxiety.
But is it cheaper to run a LEVC off petrol at the moment?
The answer depends on several factors, such as the price of electricity and petrol, the driving style and conditions, and the availability of charging infrastructure. According to LEVC, professional taxi drivers in London can typically save around £110 a week by switching to the TX electric taxi, compared to the previous diesel model. This is based on an assumption that they drive 120 miles per day, five days a week, and that they recharge the battery overnight at home and top up at public charging points during the day. Of course, this figure may vary depending on individual circumstances, but it shows that running a LEVC off electric can still be cheaper than running a conventional vehicle.
However, the cost to charge the taxi rapidly using public infrastructure has escalated due to several factors like the addition of VAT at public chargepoints, cost of living energy crisis and inflation. Charging the LEVC TX on a home charger and on slower 7 or 22kWh public networks can still provide the cabbie with a saving, but drivers looking to use more expensive rapid chargers will see little difference to that of petrol prices offered.
It must be said that running a LEVC off electric is not only about saving money, but also about reducing emissions and improving air quality. By driving in electric mode as much as possible, LEVC drivers can contribute to lowering their carbon footprint and making their cities cleaner and healthier. That said, the commercial pressures associated with paying for the taxi, especially during a period of rising costs, are starting to outweigh the green argument for some in the industry.
