The Evolution of the Hackney Black Cab - The Taxi Centre
Are you well versed in the history of taxis and the iconic hackney ‘black cab’? Take some time to learn the history of your trade.
- Electric taxis may seem like a new phenomenon, but they’ve actually been around a lot longer than you think.
- The history of the hackney cab begins as early as 1897 with the Bersey Electric Cab, right up to the present day with the introduction of the LEVC TX in 2019.
- Other popular models included the Beardmore Taxi, the Austin Twelve Four, LTI TX1, and more.
- Electric taxis have involved much trial and error. Their success has been limited throughout much of their history due to insufficient technology - though the game has much changed.
Jumping into a taxi may seem like a modern way of travelling to most people. Though did you know the taxi trade is older than you think?
Read on for a glimpse into the history of the black cab, and how it has come a long way to become the modern taxi of today.
Table of Contents
1. Beginning of the Hackney Cab
The beginning of the Hackney Cab
All history starts somewhere, and for the likes of the very first hackney cab, this was with a horse-drawn carriage going back as early as the Tudor era.
There’s even some interesting linguistic origins associated with the word ‘hackney’ itself, deriving from the French term ‘hacquenee’ referring to a horse for hire, according to the London Vintage Taxi Association.
Hackney carriages soon gained popularity in these areas as a way for London’s wealthier residents to offset the cost of owning them by hiring them out. As they were replaced, older carriages were sold to people such as innkeepers who would continue hiring them out to make a living.
The first taxi rank itself seems to have appeared as early as 1634 when Captain Baily, a veteran serving under Sir Walter Raleigh’s expeditions, commissioned four coaches in a station by the Maypole in the Strand. With coachmen dressed in livery charging a set fare for transportation in these coaches, this created London’s first taxi cab rank.
Going forwards, London’s taxi industry started growing with the production of electric taxis in the form of automated hackney carriages, including:
Bersey Electric Cab – 1897
The first electric taxi was the Bersey cab, named after its designer Walter C. Bersey. Appearing in 1897, the Bersey cab showed a promising key development in the taxi industry, though not without its limitations.
It had a top speed of 9-12mph, and due to limited technology available the batteries had to be regularly replaced, not to mention the fact that electricity was not nearly as accessible in London than it is today during this time.
Want to know more about how it came around? Read more about the Bersey electric taxi .
French Unic Cab – 1907
Early into the 20th century was when electric taxi production started to ramp up with the arrival of the Unic cab from France.
A more successful model, it would be around until as late as the 1930s and saw the term ‘taxi’ start being used as a name after new legislation meant that all cabs had to be fitted with taximeters. Leading to the term ‘taxicabs’.
Beardmore Taxi – 1919
Following the First World War, Scottish engineering company William Beardmore & Co Ltd introduced the Beardmore taxi. This taxi cab became popular going into the 1920s as a robust and reliable vehicle, with a revised version soon appearing, followed by a Citroen chassis-inspired cab in 1923.
Unic KF1 – 1930
Following the release of the first Unic model was the Unic KF1, a new model built by United Motors in Britain. Despite its updated design, it was heavy in weight and few were sold.
Austin Twelve Four – 1932
The Austin Twelve-Four introduced a new range of taxis in the early 1930s, which were sold mostly in black during the Second World War given the cheap cost of production. These were sturdy, reliable and relatively cheap to buy.
Austin FX3 - 1948
Building on the design of the Austin Twelve cab, the Austin FX3 was introduced to improve compliance with the Conditions of Fitness regulations introduced in London.
Commissioned by company Mann & Overton, the cab was fitted with an all-steel body and a 2.2-litre petrol engine, though there was still much room for improvement.
Austin FX4 - 1958
The next-generation Austin, the FX4 entered the market in 1958 as the most popular model of all time. It remained so for almost 40 years with its distinctive, recognisable design and improved technology.
FXR, FX4S and FX4S-Plus
According to the London Transport Museum, the FX4S Plus saw the introduction of a modified version of the earlier FX-Type in 1987.
These became an increasingly familiar sight on the streets of London, as drivers eagerly sought to complete their ‘Knowledge of London Test’ – a standard test introduced during the mid-nineteenth century requiring drivers to have a detailed knowledge of surrounding areas.
LTI TX1 - 1997
In 1997, the TX1 replaced Austin’s previously successful FX4. This used the same Nissan TD27 engine and led to two later upgraded versions, the TXII featuring a Ford engine and the TX4 with a VM engine.
LTI TXII - 2002
The TXII was the second model produced by LTI in 2002, following the London taxi’s modernisation and re-design. This saw the addition of a new engine produced by Nissan, in place of the previous Ford Duratorq engine used with the TX1.
LTI & LTC TX4 - 2007
In 2007, the TX4 was introduced. A purpose-built taxi cab designed by the London Taxi Company (LTC), this was produced until 2013 when the company went into liquidation, with the model being handed over to the LTI thereafter.
LEVC TX Electric Cab – 2019
Skipping forward to the modern day taxi trade, there have been a fair few developments with the return of the electric taxi. Except this time, it’s more permanent than ever and here to stay. The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) introduced the TX taxi in 2019, an electrically-driven taxi featuring a range extender (a small 1.5-litre petrol engine) with e:City technology and three drive modes – Pure EV, Smart, and Save - allowing drivers to tailor their drive like never before. With fast, easy charging and access to 45,737 charging points nationwide, charging the TX taxi is also simple and hassle-free.
So, there you have it. The history of the black cab, and how electric taxis are older than you think!
If you’re looking for hackney cabs for sale, we sell a range of LEVC TX taxis. Explore the iconic design of the black cab matched with next-generation hybrid technology.
With the LEVC TX, you’ll enjoy a more refined driving experience thanks to the different driving modes. You also get to dodge Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charges. Plus, it’ll allow you to operate a more sustainable business.
Join the new era of motoring and browse our latest LEVC TX deals. If you have any questions or queries, why not get in touch with our expert team or visit our dealership today?