LEVC TX

LEVC TX[1]
Overview
Manufacturer LEVC
Production 2017–present
Assembly Coventry, England
Body and chassis
Body style Hackney carriage
Layout Rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine 1.5L I3 (VEA) range extender
Electric motor 110 kW (150 PS)
Hybrid drivetrain 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
  • 22 kW AC
  • 50 kW DC
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,986 mm (117.6 in)
Length 4,857 mm (191.2 in)
Width
  • 1,874 mm (73.8 in)
  • 2,036 mm (80.2 in) with mirrors
Height 1,888 mm (74.3 in)
Kerb weight 2,230 kg (4,916 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor TX4

The LEVC TX (previously known as the TX5) is a purpose-built hackney carriage manufactured by the 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]. Like its competitor, the Ecotive Metrocab, the vehicle is designed to comply with Transport for London’s Taxi Private Hire regulations, which from 1 January 2018, banned new diesel-powered taxis and requires zero-emissions capability.

Background

Geely has been in talks over the possibility of converting London's black cabs into electric-powered vehicles. The company said it has held talks with UK government officials about the plan.[4] In May 2016, Geely secured $400 million for the project, with the aim of manufacturing 36,000 vehicles per annum at its new Coventry, England plant.[5] The LEVC TX electric hybrid is manufactured at a new facility in Ansty, 5 miles (8 kilometres) from Coventry.[6][7][8]

Technical

The LEVC TX is built on a unique platform, underpinned by a bonded aluminum chassis built in the UK, giving the LEVC TX a 32 percent parts localisation rate by value. China and Europe account for 32 percent of the content while United States content is 4 percent.[9]

The LEVC TX is powered by a full-electric hybrid drivetrain. It drives in full-electric mode all the time, but is recharged by a 81-hp Volvo sourced 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine. The LEVC TX is fitted with a 33 kilowatt-hour battery pack supplied by LG Chem, and powers a 110 kW Siemens built electric motor for traction.[10] When the battery pack has insufficient charge to power the vehicle, the petrol engine is claimed to achieve 36.7 mpg[11].

The charge connectors are mounted either side of the radiator grille, and are a Type 2 AC socket, capable of 22kW, and a 50kW capable CHAdeMO connector.[12]

Service history

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.[13] By February 2018 it was the only taxi capable of meeting these rules.[13][14]

References

  1. ↑ "TX - Price and Specification Guide". LEVC. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 Anthony, Sebastian (23 March 2017). "Electric TX5 black cabs start rolling off the production line". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  3. ↑ Allan, Lawrence (5 December 2017). "New 'TX' electric London Taxi priced at £55,599". Autocar Express. Dennis Publishing. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Geely: we'll make an electric London Cab". China Times. 20 October 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "City AM". 20 May 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Coventry - is the UK's 'motor city' still driving forwards?". BBC. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  7. ↑ "London taxis to take on the world as hybrid TX5 sets sights on global exports". The Independent. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  8. ↑ "London taxi-maker raises $400m to develop greener cabs". The Guardian. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  9. ↑ Gibbs, Nick (24 April 2017). "How Volvo helped to electrify the London black cab". Automotive News. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  10. ↑ "Where Tradition Intersects with Contemporaneity". Automotive Design & Production. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  11. ↑ "TX Cost comparison fuel savings". www.levc.com. 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  12. ↑ "Levc Further Expansion Of Fast, On-Street Charging Infrastructure Announced". theelectrictaxi.co.uk. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
  13. 1 2 Topham, Gwyn (6 Mar 2018). "London black cabs hail Treasury for scrapping car tax". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  14. ↑ "Cleaner greener taxis". TFL. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
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