The First London Electric Taxi You Didn't Know About
The History of the First Electric Taxi
Electric taxis have become widely popular in the bustling capital of London, though did you know when the first electric cab actually appeared?
As a taxi driver, you may think of electric taxis as a huge new development in your industry, which you might be hesitant to embrace.
Though the concept of an electric taxi isn’t as new as it seems. Read on to learn all about the earliest electric taxi to appear in London. You’ll be surprised.
Table of Contents
1. The First Electric Taxi in London
2. History of the First Electric Taxi
The First Electric Taxi in London
According to The Science Museum, the first electric taxi was the work of Walter Bersey and appeared in London in 1897. A whole lot earlier than you may have thought.
With a top speed of 9-12mph, this would have also been a lot slower than the taxis of today, meaning that passengers would have to be prepared for a somewhat lengthy journey!
During this time, cars were only gradually being introduced in the city due to the Government’s ‘Red Flag Act’ which ruled that any vehicle which was not a horse-drawn carriage must be led by a man carrying a red flag to warn pedestrians.
This was later repealed in 1896, which allowed such vehicles to begin a gradual introduction to Britain’s roads.
The Bersey taxi was one of these, known as the “Hummingbird” due to its distinctive electric hum, and the yellow and black design. The cab featured electric lighting inside and out and was capable of carrying two passengers.
Scotland Yard licensed these vehicles under the condition that:
- Each vehicle had a driver
- Drivers could stop the carriage when requested
- They could be turned within a small space
- They could climb London’s steepest hill, Savoy Hill
History of the First Electric Taxi
Though the Bersey taxi remains one of the earliest and therefore oldest taxis to take to London’s streets, it was unfortunately not the wisest in its time.
Due to the limited technology available at this time, there were some limitations to its use. Batteries had to be regularly replaced using a hydraulic lifting system, which took 2-3 minutes at London’s only charging station.
Electricity was also rarer to come by, which meant the company had to endure the expense of producing their own.
The Bersey taxi made its debut at the South Kensington motor show in 1896, with a fleet of 12 unveiled before these took to the road in 1897. The cabs undertook the London-Brighton race as part of their launch, though reports stated that the taxis were unable to complete the 60-mile journey and had to complete part of it by train.
Half a year later, the noise of these cabs intensified posing another issue, and subsequent vibrations caused damage to the glass plates, while the tyres soon wore out due to the cab’s two-tonne weight. This often resulted in breakdowns, showing the greater efficiency of the more traditional horse-drawn cab.
Sadly, the Bersey cabs disappeared within two years, as the city of London accepted that the time just wasn’t yet right for electric taxis.
Electric Taxis Today
In the 21st century, we’ve now seen a dramatic return of electric vehicles including taxis. Having come a long way since the old Bersey cab, these are vastly improved offering greater efficiency, convenience, and even accessibility for those who need it.
Thanks to rapidly improving technology, electric taxis can go further each day and get your passengers where they need to go, certainly faster than Bersey’s original cab!
This includes a vastly improved charging infrastructure in London, meaning it’s never been easier to power up and go during your work day.
LEVC Taxis
Models such as the TX Electric Taxi from LEVC retains the iconic, distinctive design of the London black cab, so you can still go for a traditional look for your business!
With a flexible range of 318 miles, the TX Electric Taxi is adaptive and practical, allowing you to switch between driving modes to maximise your electric battery power and conserve your charge for use in built up areas. That way, you don’t need to worry about Low Emissions Zones!
At The Taxi Centre, we have a range of LEVC TX taxis available for you to explore, with several options and add-ons available. Browse LEVC taxis now.
Ready to find your next taxi for your business? Take a look at our electric and hybrid taxis for sale now or discover more on our newsroom