London YouTube taxi driver says electric LEVC black cab transformed life behind the wheel despite a few frustrations seven years down the road
- Perry Richardson
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
A London taxi driver has delivered a detailed long-term assessment of the LEVC TX black cab, praising the vehicle’s comfort, electric driving performance and reliability after almost seven years and 155,000 miles behind the wheel.
Tom Hutley, creator of the “Tom the Taxi Driver” YouTube channel, shared an in-depth ownership review of his personally owned LEVC TX taxi, describing how the vehicle has transformed the experience of working in London compared with older diesel black cabs.
Hutley repeatedly stressed throughout the video that the cab was not supplied by a manufacturer or dealership, telling viewers the vehicle represented “£70,000 of my own money”. The review therefore offered a rare insight into the realities of long-term ownership from a working London cab driver using the vehicle daily.
The LEVC TX has become the defining vehicle of London’s modern taxi trade since Transport for London introduced zero-emission capable licensing requirements for newly registered taxis in 2018. The TXE combines battery-electric driving with a small petrol-powered range extender engine, allowing drivers to continue operating once battery charge is depleted.
YouTuber Tom Hutley praises the comfort, electric driving experience and long-term dependability of London’s flagship black cab while offering an honest look at day-to-day ownership
Hutley said the biggest strength of the TXE is its electric driving experience, describing the cab as smooth, quiet and perfectly suited to the stop-start nature of central London traffic. He praised the instant acceleration and regenerative braking system, explaining that the vehicle encourages smoother driving while reducing wear on traditional brake components.
He also highlighted the calmer environment created for passengers, saying the quiet drivetrain and improved cabin insulation made journeys feel more relaxing and less stressful than older diesel-powered TX4 taxis. Hutley said the panoramic glass roof and spacious six-seat layout also helped create a more open and modern passenger experience.
While the review included criticism of certain build quality and design details, Hutley made clear that many of the issues were outweighed by the cab’s overall usability and comfort. He pointed to paint bubbling, heavy rear-hinged passenger doors and occasional trim wear as areas where improvements could still be made, particularly given the demanding conditions taxi vehicles operate under every day. Hutley also mentioned the ‘hire light’ as an area for improvement which has been heavily discussed in the trade since its arrival which now has a visor like fitting to help rectify the issue.
Passenger accessibility and comfort remained a recurring positive throughout the review. Hutley praised the increased cabin space and wheelchair accessibility, describing the rear compartment as significantly more accommodating than previous generations of London taxi.
The driver’s area also received praise compared with the TX4. Hutley said the TXE felt vastly more modern and refined than the older diesel taxi many drivers used previously, adding that it was “leaps and bounds better” in terms of driving position, technology and day-to-day usability.
One of the strongest endorsements came in Hutley’s discussion around the TX’s hybrid setup. Although often viewed by passengers as a fully electric taxi, the TXE’s petrol-powered range extender gives drivers flexibility during periods of high charging costs or limited charging infrastructure availability.
Hutley described this flexibility as one of the vehicle’s greatest strengths, saying drivers can adapt to changing fuel prices and charging availability without losing the ability to work. He explained that during periods of high public charging costs, the petrol engine allowed him to continue operating economically, while home charging enabled him to maximise electric driving whenever possible.
The review also touched on long-term durability. Despite discussing faults including heater issues, software glitches and suspension wear, Hutley ultimately concluded the TX had proven dependable given its mileage and operating demands. He noted that the cab’s battery range remained close to its original performance after years of continuous use, helping ease concerns around battery degradation within the trade.
Hutley also suggested that as electric vehicle technology matures, independent servicing and battery repair options are likely to improve, reducing long-term ownership concerns for drivers.
Despite acknowledging there are frustrations associated with any heavily used working vehicle, Hutley said the TX had consistently delivered where it mattered most by allowing him to work reliably every day across London and beyond.
He concluded that while the TX may not possess the same mechanical character as older diesel black cabs, it represents a major evolution for the industry and remains the best all-round option available to London taxi drivers today.
