10 Reasons Why You Should Make the Switch to An Electric Taxi
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2. 10 reasons why you should switch
As more people make the switch to electric vehicles, so is the taxi industry. There are now over 975,000 fully electric cars on UK roads, with many private hire and hackney cab drivers making the switch to electric.
In this article, we’ll be looking at 10 reasons why you should make the switch to a new electric taxi and the impact it can have on your business.
The rise of electric taxis
Electric taxis have become more prominent across major cities as local authorities look to reduce air pollution. London was one of the first cities to make the switch in 2018 after the introduction of the LEVC electric TX taxi.
But did you know that electric taxis date much further back than 2018? In 1897, the London Electrical Cab Company produced the very first electric taxi – the Bersey Cab. A fleet of 12 Bersey cabs were in service in Central London.
Sadly, technology at the time wasn’t enough for electric taxis to be rolled out across the UK and they disappeared within two years.
Fast forward over 100 years and it’s now not uncommon to hail an electric taxi. The top five cities with the most EV taxis in the UK are:
1. Milton Keynes
2. Birmingham
3. London
4. Leeds
5. Bradford
10 reasons why you should make the switch to an electric taxi
1. Cost savings
One of the biggest pros of electric cars as taxis is the cost savings you can enjoy. With fuel prices rising once again, it’s a lot cheaper to charge an electric taxi. One of the many ways you can save money as a taxi driver.
Pod Point estimates that it costs around £17 for a full charge at home, based on a 60kWh battery and 200-mile range. They also estimate that the average cost of using a public charging point is about £26 for a full charge.
2. Exemption from Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) and Low Emission Zones (LEZ)
To combat air pollution, Clean Air Zones, Low Emission Zones (LEZ), and Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) are being introduced. These zones penalise taxis that do not meet certain emissions criteria with a daily charge or penalty charge. However, with an electric taxi, you will be exempt from any charges.
Clean Air Zones are currently in force in:
- Bath
- Birmingham
- Bradford
- Bristol
- Sheffield
- Newcastle and Gateshead
Low Emission Zones are currently in place in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen.
Scotland’s LEZs are slightly different - they don’t allow non-compliant vehicles to enter these zones at any time. Any vehicles that do are subject to a £60 penalty charge.
The only Scottish Low Emission Zone that is currently enforced is Edinburgh. To find out more, read the ultimate guide to Edinburgh’s low emission zone for taxi drivers.
3. Electric taxi grants and incentives
In a bid to clean up air pollution in major cities, local councils offer grants to help make the cost of an electric taxi more affordable.
In Scotland, the Switched on Taxis Loan is funded by Transport for Scotland, offering a loan of up to £150,000. There’s also the Used Electric Vehicle Loan, which is an interest-free loan of up to £30,000.
Financial support is available to taxi drivers in England in:
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Newcastle
- Gateshead
- Sheffield
Find out more about government taxi grants.
4. Less repair costs for new electric taxis
Electric taxis typically have fewer moving parts than a petrol or diesel car meaning you can benefit from reduced repair costs.
It’s still recommended that you regularly maintain key items such as:
- Tyres and brakes
- Windscreens including wiper blades and washer fluid
- Battery
Many electric taxis are covered by an electric battery warranty, so you won’t be caught up by unexpected repair bills if something goes wrong.
5. Expanding charging network
Over the past few years, there has been a huge increase in the number of public charging points, making it easier than ever to charge an electric taxi. According to Zapmap, over 16,600 new charging points have been added to the UK’s charging network since 2022.
Their research also shows that Greater London, the South East, and Scotland, have the largest number of charge points. There are also more options available when it comes to charging your electric taxi. Choose from fast, rapid, and ultra-rapid chargers to reduce your time off the road.
6. Reduce your emissions with a new electric taxi
Statistics from the UK Government show that in 2021 cars and taxis were the biggest contributors to air pollution. They accounted for 52% of emissions from domestic transport. Long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Electric taxis emit zero emissions and clean up the air for future generations.
7. Electric taxis have improved ranges
Improvements in technology continue to increase the ranges offered by electric taxis. This means there’s no need to worry about range anxiety. Some of the best electric taxi ranges include:
- Kia Niro EV – up to 285 miles (WLTP)
- MG 5 EV – up to 250 miles (WLTP)
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 – up to 299 (WLTP)
8. Perfect for city driving
The stop-and-start nature of city traffic can take its toll on your fuel consumption. But many electric taxis use this to their advantage with regenerative braking. The system will capture energy lost from slowing down or braking and convert it into electricity to increase your range.
9. Less noise pollution
Noise from traffic plays a part in another form of pollution – air pollution. Studies show that long-term exposure to noise pollution can lead to an increase in stress and mental health issues. Electric taxis are silent meaning your passengers can enjoy a relaxing ride and you can also play your part in reducing air pollution.
10. Easy to drive
The most common transmission type for an electric taxi is automatic making them extremely easy to drive. There’s no need to worry about changing gears, simply sit back and let the taxi do all the work for you.
The best electric taxis
Our top picks for the best electric cars for taxi drivers include Skoda Enyaq, Kia Niro EV, Toyota bZ4X, MG5, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Volkswagen ID.3.
Read our article on the top six taxis for 2024 to find out what makes them such popular electric taxi choices.
Make the switch to electric with The Taxi Centre
At The Taxi Centre, we can help you on your journey to switching to an electric taxi. We offer a wide range of electric taxis for sale from manufacturers including Toyota, Kia, MG, Volkswagen, and Hyundai.
Contact us today for the best electric taxi price with our range of taxi finance options.