How The TX Taxi Could Help To Electrify Your Fleet
Thinking about introducing the LEVC TX taxi to your fleet? In this article, we’ve highlighted the top benefits you could enjoy if you decide to go green with one of the UK’s leading hybrid taxi suppliers.
The electric vehicle (EV) movement is one that only continues to grow. Having started originally with cars, the movement has since expanded to cover vans and taxis as well.
Whether or not you are a fleet operator, there are some key benefits to including electric taxis such as the LEVC TX in your business operations which you should be aware of.
Read on for all you need to know about how switching to electric with the TX can benefit your business.
Table of Contents
1. Enjoy lower running costs for your taxi business
2. The TX is exempt from vehicle excise duty and emissions charges
3. The LEVC TX is eligible for some taxi grants and incentives
4. The TX taxi helps futureproof your taxi business
5. The TX could make your taxi service more popular with customers
6. It’s better for the environment
1. Enjoy lower running costs for your taxi business
By adding the TX taxi to your fleet, you can enjoy lower running costs for your taxi business. These include both lower fuel costs and maintenance.
We know that cost is the most important factor when adding new taxis to your fleet. It can often be the make-or-break factor when it comes down to decision time.
Though electric taxis can often be a more expensive initial investment, you’ll enjoy significantly lower running costs over your electric taxi’s lifetime.
According to the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), with the TX taxi you could save up to £123 in fuel each week.
Electric taxis such as the TX also come with lower maintenance costs as they have far fewer moving parts than a petrol or diesel taxis.
This means simple, less regular servicing and no costly surprises on the day, which is more frequent with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Coupled with a three-year industry warranty (up to 120,000 miles) and industry-leading five-year unlimited mileage battery warranty, you get complete peace of mind and avoid any unexpected costs.
With electric taxis such as the TX, you’ll also receive several tax benefits, saving your business even more money.
2. The TX is exempt from vehicle excise duty and emissions charges
One of the greatest things about having the TX taxi is that you will no longer have to worry about accessing Low Emission Zones (LEZs) and Clean Air Zones (CAZs).
Operating in many major towns and cities across the UK, LEZs and CAZs aim to incentivise the use of less polluting vehicles. This is to improve air quality and public health by incurring charges for entering these zones.
For a taxi driver, this is both expensive and inconvenient if you regularly travel in and out of the city.
By choosing the TX taxi, you don’t need to worry. LEZs and CAZs only charge non-compliant vehicles for entering these zones, referring to vehicles that emit higher levels of CO2.
Since electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, they are exempt from paying these charges and can happily drive around in these zones as often as they like without being charged.
This includes the TX taxi with its fully electric driving capabilities. Featuring innovative eCity technology, the TX is always electrically driven. The taxi is powered by an electric motor with a range extender (a small 1.5-litre engine) onboard to provide a boost when needed.
With three different driving modes (Smart, Save and Pure EV) the TX allows you to tailor your drive according to your preferences. Achieve an efficient, eco-friendly drive on every journey.
Smart mode is the default mode designed for everyday use, powering the TX efficiently with the battery’s energy before switching to the range extender. This comes in handy for longer journeys between cities, ensuring you never have to worry about range.
Save mode allows you to conserve your current battery level for later use, using the range extender as a source of power. This is especially useful for travelling around in cities with LEZs and CAZs, so you can switch to electric battery power for emissions-free driving.
Pure EV disables the use of the range extender, using only the power generated from the electric battery, producing a completely eco-friendly drive. If the battery does start to run low, the driver will be notified to select a different driving mode, so there is no need for range anxiety.
3. The LEVC TX is eligible for some taxi grants and incentives
When it comes to introducing EVs like the TX taxi into your fleet, this may seem like a big step – though there are some dedicated schemes out there to give you all the support you need.
This includes the Government’s plug-in taxi grant (PiTG), allowing you to save up to a maximum of £7,500 with the purchase of a new, purpose-built taxi.
Split into two categories, those in Category 1 will save up to £7,500 if the taxi has a zero-emissions range of 70 miles or more, and CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km.
Taxis in Category 2 meanwhile will save up to £3,000, provided they have a zero-emissions range between 10 to 69 miles and CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km.
The application process is easy, and once you’ve been approved for the scheme, you get access to a portal to register claims for eligible vehicles.
The claims are paid monthly to the manufacturer. Since the PiTG is deducted from the price at the point of sale at the dealership, there’s no further paperwork for you to complete. Learn more about the application process.
The EV chargepoint grant also offers to help you save money while making charging easier than ever. The grant provides funding of up to 75% towards the installation cost of smart charge points across properties in the UK.
You can apply for this grant if you own and live in a flat or rent any residential property, if you have access to off-street parking, and if you own an eligible electric vehicle. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply for the grant.
Grants like these can really help to make a difference if you are thinking about adding the LEVC’s TX taxi to your fleet. Discover more taxi grants and incentives at The Taxi Centre.
4. The TX taxi helps futureproof your taxi business
As times continue to change, so will the ways we get around. Working towards a net carbon zero goal by 2050, the UK government intends to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
The first step towards plans for a greener future, this will allow the Government to help with the industry’s transition to electric vehicles, providing the support needed to expand public charging networks.
The second step will make all new cars (including taxis) and vans zero emissions by 2035, as part of the £1.8 billion investment to support the transition to electric motoring.
Having the TX taxi join your fleet is a great way to help futureproof your business and ensure you won’t be caught out by these new laws.
By starting to add electric taxis to your business now, you can experience a smoother transition in a way that helps you to enjoy the benefits today.
5. The TX could make your taxi service more popular with customers
Having an electrified fleet will not only help you to keep up with the times but also improves your sustainability credentials as a business.
Contrary to what you may think, this is something that many people – including your passengers and employees – care about.
In fact, Travel Tomorrow draws on a 2022 Expedia survey, suggesting that as many as 90% of customers actively look for sustainable travel options.
You may think that sustainability isn’t important to your passengers and that their primary focus is on getting where they need to go.
Though research also shows it’s becoming increasingly important to consumers, - especially millennials and Generation Z (Gen Z). Choosing an electric taxi is guaranteed to help improve your image and attract more customers.
With an iconic electrified taxi like the TX, your business stands more chance of being remembered by your customers for its world-leading innovation and sustainable transport offering.
6. It’s better for the environment
You’ve probably heard that one of the biggest benefits associated with EVs is that they are much less harmful for the environment.
It can’t be stressed enough how much of an impact they have in creating a more sustainable future for motoring.
According to EDF Energy, approximately 1.5 million grams of CO2 can be saved from entering the environment with just one electric car on the roads, and if you didn’t know, that’s a lot!
The TX – along with other types of electric vehicles – could help with the UK’s net carbon zero goal for 2050. They also assist in reducing noise and air pollution in congested cities.
The batteries used in electric cars are also becoming more recyclable. The automotive industry is researching using second-hand batteries as a more sustainable production method.
Wouldn’t it feel good to be at the forefront of the taxi trade and contribute to this positive culture of change?
We hope you’ve found this article useful. Looking to start your electric taxi search? Browse the LEVC TX now at The Taxi Centre.