If we want cleaner cities, the first step is to adopt green public transportation, to serve both as an example and as a first impactful way of cutting down emissions. Geneva and Hamburg have already started to test electric buses and London is next to introduce range-extended Metrocab electric taxis.
Frazer-Nash Research and Ecotive are proud to tell us their Metrocab just become the first zero-emission taxi to get licensed by the Transport of London to operate as a London Hackney Carriage.
“The Metrocab has received numerous accolades and plaudits across the board in recent months, but now it is official - it is the first licensed range extended electric cab for London, and indeed the first in the world,” said Metrocab chairman sir Charles Masefield. “We’re very proud, and delighted with the Metrocabs’ performance, economy and range at the hands of the first few London cabbies to be operation our range extended electric taxis.”
Designed built to meet the Londoners’ needs and air quality targets, the Metrocab’s design looks a bit inspired by Bentley while retaining the classic black-cab proportions with room for six.
The Metrocab is driven by two electric motors, each offering a peak power of 50 kW (67 hp) fed by a 12.2 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. To back it up, the constructor also mounted a high efficiency 1-liter three-cylinder engine under the hood to act as a generator.
Using this configuration, the cab can reach a limited top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h) and can go as far as 348 miles (560 km). It’s said to offer a significantly lower running costs compared to a standard cab, typically saving around £20-40 ($30-61/€27-54) per day.
Among the features list, the Metrocab comes with a driver multi-function touchscreen, passenger color display, a USB charging socket, hands free connectivity, air conditioning, ABS, panoramic roof, mood lighting, air suspension and full wheelchair access with ramp.
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