The London cabbies who played a vital role in testing the new LEVC TX electric taxi on the streets of London have now purchased their own vehicles following the successful tests.
Since October 2017, London cabbies have been putting the new cab through its paces in the real world and over that time they have racked up over 130,000 test miles between them.
Known as the capture test fleet (CTF) program, it followed LEVC’s global TaxiDur vehicle durability program, during which TX prototypes were driven for more than one million miles across the world, from the Arctic Circle to the Arizona desert.
Once of the cabbies, Peter Powell, said, “I was recruited on to the CTF program in early 2017 and drove early TX prototypes from October of that year. I have found it particularly satisfying to spend the vast majority of my working days using pure EV mode throughout the whole shift.”
Another driver, Patrick Follen, commented, “In July 2017, I was invited to take part in the CTF test program and the moment I saw the first prototype I couldn’t wait to get started. I knew at the end I would definitely be buying a TX. The first thing that strikes you is how smooth and quiet it is, which is why the passengers love it so much. Working in the TX is also much less stressful.
“Myself and two other CTF drivers took part in a stress test conducted by Prof. Duncan Williams of York University and the results concluded that driving the electric cab is less stressful than a conventional diesel. It just makes driving in busy London, a lot easier.”
Cabbie John Dowd added, “There are so many benefits to TX, but for me the comfort is in a league of its own. Having driven the previous diesel cabs for years and being more than 6ft tall it has been a revelation. With the TX, I’ve got all the room in the world and given that we spend so much time in our cabs, that’s paramount.”
Engineering director Alan Clark said, “TX was put through some of the most rigorous and harsh testing conditions in the world to ensure that this vehicle was ready to meet the demands of the taxi trade, not only in London, but all over the world.
“Peter, Patrick and John played a crucial role in this testing process and I’m really pleased that they have gone on to purchase their own TXs – it’s testament to the quality of the vehicle.”