The all-new British-built and engineered Range Extended Electric Metrocab taxi has been tested for the first time by London’s taxi drivers and Mayor Boris Johnson.
Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) General Secretary Steve McNamara, and London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) Chairman Grant Davis, visited Metrocab’s Surrey testing facility with their respective members to evaluate the Metrocab from a passenger and driver perspective.
The Metrocab’s range extended electric technology delivers a range of 560km, typically saving a London taxi driver £20-£40 per day based on the average day and night duty cycle in the capital.
Following static observations the Metrocab was experienced first-hand on the test track and the association members were left impressed by the Metrocab’s power delivery, ride quality and handling prowess. Summarised by Grant Davis “like nothing I have ever experienced before”, Steve McNamara added that its introduction “could be a game changer.”
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “It’s superb, an absolutely beautiful machine and a masterpiece of British engineering. I have just driven it and it’s totally silent. It’s the Rolls Royce of taxis and it will do 100mpg.”
Metrocab key features:
>75mpg and over three times more fuel efficient than comparable current London taxi
>75% less CO2 than comparable current London taxi, <50g/km CO2
>560km combined range
– Significantly lower running costs, typically saving a London cabbie £20 – 40 per day
– Zero-emissions mode and home charging via standard mains outlet
– Evolutionary design, sympathetic to iconic London taxi silhouette
– >10 years in development and over a million engineering test kilometres
– Six passenger seats (plus optional seventh passenger seat in the front)
– Fully compliant with London Public Carriage Office (PCO) regulations
Metrocab Technical Specification:
GENERAL
– Range extended electric vehicle
– Fully compliant with London Public Carriage Office (PCO) regulations
– Capable of zero emission operation
– Vehicle health diagnostics and status telemetry system
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
– Overall length:………………………….. 4,905mm
– Overall width:…………………………… 1,800mm
– Overall height:………………………….. 1,925mm
– Wheel base:………………………………. 3,181mm
VEHICLE WEIGHT
– Gross:………………………………………… 2,515kg
PERFORMANCE
– Top speed:…………………………………. 80mph (Restricted)
– Max gradient:…………………………….. 1:3
– Emissions:………………………………….. <50g/km CO2
– Turning circle: …………………………… 7.62m (Meets PCO requirement)
– Regenerative braking
DRIVELINE
– Peak motor power:…………………… 2 x 50kW
– Peak wheel torque:…………………… 2 x 1,400Nm
RANGE EXTENDER
– 1 litre petrol range-extender engine coupled to generator unit
– Fuel efficient urban and highway generating modes
– Meets Euro 5 emission standards
BATTERY SYSTEM
– Lithium-ion polymer large format cells
– Stored capacity:…………………………. 12.2kWh
– 3kW on board charging
COMFORT
– Driver multi-function touch screen display and instrument cluster with colour display
– Passenger colour TV display
– USB charging socket
– Digital infotainment system
– Hands free telephone
– Air conditioning and heating
– Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
– 3-seater rear bench seat – fore/aft adjustable for more luggage space when required
– 3 rear facing flip down seats
– 1 optional front passenger seat
– Full wheelchair access with integrated wheelchair ramp
– Panoramic glass roof
– Mood Lighting
– Air suspension
