Good little programme, thanks. I live in Edinburgh which has 2 litre V8 diesel black cabs producing over 250g of CO2 per km plus the Nox n Sox of course. I stopped using them about 5 years ago because of their excessive emissions so ones like these would certainly have me supporting the local taxi trade once more. Cabs can be so handy sometimes.
Sorry, but as I said it was 5 years ago so Edinburgh back then was using V8 engines housed in the old TX4 taxis. On my bike I don't get close enough to read what is on the back as I'd be coughing too much. I think that if you can actually taste diesel on your tongue then perhaps the vehicle in front is emitting harmfull gasses.
I'm happy to hear the cab driver's opinions and would especially enjoy to hear from them after a year or so on the road. I think it has a promising future. Combining inductive charging in the taxi rank is a great idea too.
I'll say this on Twitter as well. One of my favorite things when I visit London is riding in cabs, not the micro cabs mind you, but in the classic London cab (it's a retro thing). Now with these new Metro's I can look forward to being able to do that for years on and that does make me happy.
As a London Cabbie I can tell you all that there is alot of us who are impatient and dreaming of the new Metrocab. TX4, TX2's are hilghly unreliable, inefficient, polluting money eaters. And the Mercedes Vito is a converted Van. They said they will price it between a Vito £42 000 and a TX4 £38 000. So it would be safe to assume it would cost about £40 000. However we may be entitled to a £5000 grant from the Government for purchasing an electric vehicle. The saving of £10 000 a year on petrol is vastly exaggerated. But I would be happy if I was saving around £3000 a year on fuel. But the batteries are not cheap and you will have to recycle it ever 6 to 8 years at a price of £6000 to £8000. So thats a £1000 a year roughly. I said recycle deliberately instead of "replace". As this battery pack, is designed to be eco-friendly and hence you regenerate the battery for reuse instead of dumping a toxic battery in a landfill.
That's not exactly how they work. It isn't one big lead acid battery. Don't worry though, these things have warranties of at least 8 years, some have more depending on the manufacturer. All battery packs have doozens of modules (typically from 20 to 80 depending on their size and the size of the pack and car themselves) that are also made up of a number of cells (like AA cells or flat, laminated cells in iPads) which are all arranged in series, like Christmas lights. In a worst case scenario, if one module goes bust, the series chain is broken and the whole pack won't operate. Modules in most cars can cost anywhere from £50 - £500. Plenty are on eBay from crashed cars. But that doens't happen unless there's a serious problem, no large battery pack goes flat out of random like the one in our car, I only used it as an easier example to grasp. In real life, typically one module would underperform and would hold less energy, so no matter how much more energy the other modules can store, they can only hold the same amount that the faulty module can hold at best. It goes with the phrase, "An army marches as fast as its slowest soilder". Because of that, there's a thing called capacity loss where battery packs in total can loose 20% of their capactiy after 10 years. This can be fixed by an inspection of all modules and replacement of one or two underperforming modules.
That's really impressive. My previous experience of Frazer Nash was of entertaining a front room full of Malaysian EV people who were very unhapy with the expensive technology they'd bought? leased? from FN and helping them with their EV program. I'd also exchanged emails with Joseph Brusa about the money he was owed by them after I'd mentioned the BBC Radio 4 'Face the Facts' program about FN.
When I am next in London, I will be looking for these cabs and these cabs only for my cab needs. I love taking the underground and the buses but a London cab as a child was fun and this is something I would want to try. I hope NYC takes a look at these and that they will expand beyond the UK.
You'll be able to get a black cab soon for the same price as the tube believe it or not. All you have to do is be willing to share the ride with others going in the same direction, similar to a buss. It's a new app due out in a few weeks called Maaxi. The futures bright for Londoners.
Wonderful thing! I do wish they made it a little more similar to the Hackney carriage by adding strips of chrome, push forward the rear glass to make the boot stand out. It looks like a crossover, but other than that, it's wonderful! Also, *****, did you ever get the chance to do a tight u-turn? If so, how impressive was it? I suspect that the two motors it has in the rear behave like how a tank turns by keeping the inside rear wheel still and the outside rear wheel spinning.
Great to see that the cabbies are so impassioned about it, rather than being sceptical! Some questions though: 1) Does it have a "frunk" or 'front boot'? 2) What is the all electric range? 3) Will it be bringing down cab fares? If it does, it could be a free-market way of combating Uber 4) Does it have autonomous driving features/safety features such as automatic braking?
no it doesnt, there is no extra space because its a hybrid car. only electric car will be able to free up enough room to get a front and back trunk like tesla:)
Any saving will in time be passed on to the passenger. But assuming 5000 hours of use a year and a yearly saving of 10 000 pounds the saving on a normal trip would only be a pound or so, I. e. the cost of the diesel not used.
Brilliant. I'd love to see London-style taxi cabs in every city. They also make great vehicles for the physically handicapped. The enthusiasm of the taxi drivers was quite convincing.
Weight would be interesting to know. And actual price, not just same as the old overpriced one. Range would be interesting too. Battery capacity. Battery make. Power. All good stuff :) It's good they are going electric but it will be replaced by autonomous cabs sooner or later. In 10 years they could all be AI cabs.
The original or should I say current London Cabs weigh around 2 tonnes! They have awfully dirty 2.5l diesel engines. I don't know their power output (I'm guessing around 80bhp) but these taxis were never meant to be fast, so this new cab is bound to be quicker. It's good to know that its top speed is above the 70 speed limit. The battery capacity of this is 12kWh. 20 to 30 mile range. It's also in the same situation as the Outlander PHEV, it's far more attractive as it costs the same as its diesel equivalent because both that and the Metro Cab can save thousands in a short period of time in fuel costs alone.
I don't know what the average running cost fuel wise on a black cab in london I know where I live most drivers use over £100 a week in fuel without much trouble so you could easy spend £5000 a year now I can see the advantage of a electric car for a Public service Vehicle plus cleaner air If we could get the buses to go over to electric as well think how cleaner city air would be..
The MetroCab specs claim 12 kWh battery back & an electric-only range of 50 miles. As batteries fall in price & weight and increase in energy capacity, this will only get better and it may well be that cabs will no longer require the range-extender. I predict that'll be the case in 15 yrs.
I hope Robert that I can use it for my project Salton Sea 9915 Sea View Drive mecca to Palm springs airport. I wonder if it has arresting straps for wheel chairs or power chairs/
It does if you book a Maxxi cab. It's an app due out in the next few weeks which links up people heading in the same direction and you split the fare. Paddington to Euston could be as little as £3.50 believe it or not. Big things are starting to happen within the London taxi trade. And I mean BIG!
Well I live in Montreal,Quebec,Canada and here like in many Canadian or even US cities the regulation of taxi is poor or almost non existent, nothing standard and I do believe that the taxis should be the same, like the metrocab its similar in size to a Dodge minivan or the MB vans,,big enough for people and luggage yet small enough to go anywhere a car can ,,the fact also its electric is good with the range extender any taxi here can go at least 350 km easily witch is what some taxis do in a day specially the rural ones, thing is getting these taxis here is a big thing with the govt safety for collision they would have to be tested and pass the norms. but if I had the money I would be making plans for export for sure for US/Canada,, I have tried the Nissan NV,,, small nice way its done but small,,so this would be perfect for all markets not just UK..
Exactly what I thought. Has a regal appearance. Seen a few close up and I'm sold on the looks. Build quality seemed good also plus the drivers compartment looks so much better than the current models and the rear is a massive improvement. Put my name down to test them but didn't get picked. Spoke to a driver who was picked to test them and he loves it. I hope Boris backs them as they are the future. Combined with the new Maaxi app it's gonna be game set and match for the London taxi trade. Can't wait.
Never came to Market unfortunately. Geely who brought out tge TXE kept taking them to court to drain there money. A multi million pound grant was given to Geely by 'dodgy ' David Cameron whilst Fraser Naae were allowed to go bust. Better design than the TXE. Doors passengers can actually reach, central armrest for comfort, proper fitted partition screen and apparently a boot you can put things in. Very sad, with a reasonable price tag attached it may have helped save the Taxi Trade.
what is that awful rattling noise coming from passenger area of vehicle, please don`t tell me they have spent all this time and effort on this Taxi and yet the passenger area rattles and creeks like the current crop.....Surely Not!!!
It sounds like something near where the camera is mounted, or maybe the camera itself. The problem with electric vehicles is that the drivetrain is so quiet noises that you wouldn't ordinarily hear are much more obvious.
The SOx pollution should be zero since the government switched to zero sulphur gasoline and diesel. (Or maybe that was just the U.S.?) I'm also surprised to see glass between the driver and passenger. We don't have that in the states.
Brilliant taxi, but horrifically ugly. I'm glad that anti-fracking ad didn't claim fracking is dangerous. The only problem, as it said, is the continued use of fossil fuels.
could always force these on taxi drivers by banning old diesel ones would prefer a solar panel roof though on standard ones and glass roof for tourist ones
Good little programme, thanks. I live in Edinburgh which has 2 litre V8 diesel black cabs producing over 250g of CO2 per km plus the Nox n Sox of course. I stopped using them about 5 years ago because of their excessive emissions so ones like these would certainly have me supporting the local taxi trade once more. Cabs can be so handy sometimes.
Sorry, but as I said it was 5 years ago so Edinburgh back then was using V8 engines housed in the old TX4 taxis.
On my bike I don't get close enough to read what is on the back as I'd be coughing too much. I think that if you can actually taste diesel on your tongue then perhaps the vehicle in front is emitting harmfull gasses.
I'm happy to hear the cab driver's opinions and would especially enjoy to hear from them after a year or so on the road. I think it has a promising future. Combining inductive charging in the taxi rank is a great idea too.
I really like the soon-retired taxi driver's comment.
Despite his long carreer he'd want to continue driving just for these new cab.
Excellent progress from Frazer Nash. Knew tese guys over decade ago quietly working on this and now we have it. Kamal, Team, well done! Avante!
I'll say this on Twitter as well. One of my favorite things when I visit London is riding in cabs, not the micro cabs mind you, but in the classic London cab (it's a retro thing). Now with these new Metro's I can look forward to being able to do that for years on and that does make me happy.
As a London Cabbie I can tell you all that there is alot of us who are impatient and dreaming of the new Metrocab.
TX4, TX2's are hilghly unreliable, inefficient, polluting money eaters.
And the Mercedes Vito is a converted Van.
They said they will price it between a Vito £42 000 and a TX4 £38 000. So it would be safe to assume it would cost about £40 000. However we may be entitled to a £5000 grant from the Government for purchasing an electric vehicle.
The saving of £10 000 a year on petrol is vastly exaggerated. But I would be happy if I was saving around £3000 a year on fuel.
But the batteries are not cheap and you will have to recycle it ever 6 to 8 years at a price of £6000 to £8000. So thats a £1000 a year roughly.
I said recycle deliberately instead of "replace". As this battery pack, is designed to be eco-friendly and hence you regenerate the battery for reuse instead of dumping a toxic battery in a landfill.
That's not exactly how they work. It isn't one big lead acid battery. Don't worry though, these things have warranties of at least 8 years, some have more depending on the manufacturer. All battery packs have doozens of modules (typically from 20 to 80 depending on their size and the size of the pack and car themselves) that are also made up of a number of cells (like AA cells or flat, laminated cells in iPads) which are all arranged in series, like Christmas lights. In a worst case scenario, if one module goes bust, the series chain is broken and the whole pack won't operate. Modules in most cars can cost anywhere from £50 - £500. Plenty are on eBay from crashed cars.
But that doens't happen unless there's a serious problem, no large battery pack goes flat out of random like the one in our car, I only used it as an easier example to grasp. In real life, typically one module would underperform and would hold less energy, so no matter how much more energy the other modules can store, they can only hold the same amount that the faulty module can hold at best. It goes with the phrase, "An army marches as fast as its slowest soilder". Because of that, there's a thing called capacity loss where battery packs in total can loose 20% of their capactiy after 10 years. This can be fixed by an inspection of all modules and replacement of one or two underperforming modules.
My old man's the test pilot driver for London, he loves it.
That's really impressive. My previous experience of Frazer Nash was of entertaining a front room full of Malaysian EV people who were very unhapy with the expensive technology they'd bought? leased? from FN and helping them with their EV program. I'd also exchanged emails with Joseph Brusa about the money he was owed by them after I'd mentioned the BBC Radio 4 'Face the Facts' program about FN.
When I am next in London, I will be looking for these cabs and these cabs only for my cab needs. I love taking the underground and the buses but a London cab as a child was fun and this is something I would want to try. I hope NYC takes a look at these and that they will expand beyond the UK.
You'll be able to get a black cab soon for the same price as the tube believe it or not. All you have to do is be willing to share the ride with others going in the same direction, similar to a buss. It's a new app due out in a few weeks called Maaxi. The futures bright for Londoners.
That is something I will be very happy about! Thanks for the info.
The Geezer response at the end was encouraging...
Wonderful thing! I do wish they made it a little more similar to the Hackney carriage by adding strips of chrome, push forward the rear glass to make the boot stand out. It looks like a crossover, but other than that, it's wonderful!
Also, *****, did you ever get the chance to do a tight u-turn? If so, how impressive was it? I suspect that the two motors it has in the rear behave like how a tank turns by keeping the inside rear wheel still and the outside rear wheel spinning.
Great video. I must also admit that ecotricity ads are the only ones I like watching!
Great to see that the cabbies are so impassioned about it, rather than being sceptical!
Some questions though:
1) Does it have a "frunk" or 'front boot'?
2) What is the all electric range?
3) Will it be bringing down cab fares? If it does, it could be a free-market way of combating Uber
4) Does it have autonomous driving features/safety features such as automatic braking?
no it doesnt, there is no extra space because its a hybrid car. only electric car will be able to free up enough room to get a front and back trunk like tesla:)
Any saving will in time be passed on to the passenger. But assuming 5000 hours of use a year and a yearly saving of 10 000 pounds the saving on a normal trip would only be a pound or so, I. e. the cost of the diesel not used.
Everything is going green it's such a good idea
Just another thought, will Mr. Fry be Upgrading as well??
What is that horrible rattling noise? That would drive me crazy.
whats that bloody knocking sound? i couldnt stand that all day
The London cab turning circle was specified to be able to go around the little roundabout at the front of The Savoy.
thing is they are bigger but they turn in the same diameter as the current taxis so bigger but more ninble...impressive, 7.2M I think.
Those solar panels generate just over 14 KwHours of electricity. That is ridiculously high.
the electric movement keeps expanding,,,,,,,,,,amazing cab
lovely to see an electric taxi, i'm a taxi driver from norway, my next car will be electric
Brilliant. I'd love to see London-style taxi cabs in every city. They also make great vehicles for the physically handicapped. The enthusiasm of the taxi drivers was quite convincing.
i cant wait to see these around london
AAgghh Robert. Check your maths 12.4 Mw is 12,400 Kw Not 124,000 Kw.
the fact that he fails at math that simple is quite disturbing
ow my little ears!!
one showed up in town a couple of days ago , finally know what it is .
Good to see professional drivers taking more interest in electric vehicles.
Weight would be interesting to know. And actual price, not just same as the old overpriced one. Range would be interesting too. Battery capacity. Battery make. Power. All good stuff :)
It's good they are going electric but it will be replaced by autonomous cabs sooner or later. In 10 years they could all be AI cabs.
The original or should I say current London Cabs weigh around 2 tonnes! They have awfully dirty 2.5l diesel engines. I don't know their power output (I'm guessing around 80bhp) but these taxis were never meant to be fast, so this new cab is bound to be quicker. It's good to know that its top speed is above the 70 speed limit.
The battery capacity of this is 12kWh. 20 to 30 mile range. It's also in the same situation as the Outlander PHEV, it's far more attractive as it costs the same as its diesel equivalent because both that and the Metro Cab can save thousands in a short period of time in fuel costs alone.
What's the take up been like? It's now July 2016.
all these cabbie drivers seem like they're tearing up from how impressed they are T_T
But where's your bail of hay?
I don't know what the average running cost fuel wise on a black cab in london I know where I live most drivers use over £100 a week in fuel without much trouble so you could easy spend £5000 a year now I can see the advantage of a electric car for a Public service Vehicle plus cleaner air If we could get the buses to go over to electric as well think how cleaner city air would be..
+ryzo mcgregor average is £25 a day on fuel for an 8 hour day.
The MetroCab specs claim 12 kWh battery back & an electric-only range of 50 miles.
As batteries fall in price & weight and increase in energy capacity, this will only get better and it may well be that cabs will no longer require the range-extender.
I predict that'll be the case in 15 yrs.
5 years latter and Metro cab are still not on London Streets
I hope Robert that I can use it for my project Salton Sea 9915 Sea View Drive mecca to Palm springs airport. I wonder if it has arresting straps for wheel chairs or power chairs/
The audio was so hard to listen to on this
appears to steer like the TITANIC !!!
a normal cab gets 18 mpg? seems like a bit of an overaction? I realise they're a big 2.7 Nissan diesel (or so I'm told) but 18?
Does the introduction of these cabs mean they will reduce fares or just increase profits?
Prices never drop.
It does if you book a Maxxi cab. It's an app due out in the next few weeks which links up people heading in the same direction and you split the fare. Paddington to Euston could be as little as £3.50 believe it or not. Big things are starting to happen within the London taxi trade. And I mean BIG!
Arrrggg! Calm, calm. Mega. Watt. HOURS. HOURS. How difficult can it be. And how many horse powers can you get in your tank.
Sorry, but really...
Indeed. You'd think someone from an EV company would know the damn difference (and take the trouble to get it right).
Well I live in Montreal,Quebec,Canada and here like in many Canadian or even US cities the regulation of taxi is poor or almost non existent, nothing standard and I do believe that the taxis should be the same, like the metrocab its similar in size to a Dodge minivan or the MB vans,,big enough for people and luggage yet small enough to go anywhere a car can ,,the fact also its electric is good with the range extender any taxi here can go at least 350 km easily witch is what some taxis do in a day specially the rural ones, thing is getting these taxis here is a big thing with the govt safety for collision they would have to be tested and pass the norms. but if I had the money I would be making plans for export for sure for US/Canada,, I have tried the Nissan NV,,, small nice way its done but small,,so this would be perfect for all markets not just UK..
Frazer Nash used to make beautiful vintage cars.
Something reminds me of a Bentley =D
Exactly what I thought. Has a regal appearance. Seen a few close up and I'm sold on the looks. Build quality seemed good also plus the drivers compartment looks so much better than the current models and the rear is a massive improvement. Put my name down to test them but didn't get picked. Spoke to a driver who was picked to test them and he loves it. I hope Boris backs them as they are the future. Combined with the new Maaxi app it's gonna be game set and match for the London taxi trade. Can't wait.
I got motion sickness going in a circle.
Now the new LEVC taxi ¼ Nissan env200 taxi ¾ Metrocab
Where do people who live in tower blocks plug it in?
+alf230202 you use the engine to charge it...They are already testing that scenerio. (my old man is one of the cab driver test pilots )
Never came to Market unfortunately.
Geely who brought out tge TXE kept taking them to court to drain there money. A multi million pound grant was given to Geely by 'dodgy ' David Cameron whilst Fraser Naae were allowed to go bust.
Better design than the TXE.
Doors passengers can actually reach, central armrest for comfort, proper fitted partition screen and apparently a boot you can put things in. Very sad, with a reasonable price tag attached it may have helped save the Taxi Trade.
What is the all electric range ? 40 miles ?
No engine running is not allowed
what is that awful rattling noise coming from passenger area of vehicle, please don`t tell me they have spent all this time and effort on this Taxi and yet the passenger area rattles and creeks like the current crop.....Surely Not!!!
It sounds like something near where the camera is mounted, or maybe the camera itself. The problem with electric vehicles is that the drivetrain is so quiet noises that you wouldn't ordinarily hear are much more obvious.
How does a small diesel engine have such terrible fuel economy?
Spencer Howard Basically London traffic. On more free flowing roads you'll get about 26mpg usually.
TX4 only getting 17 mpg how do they drive it My tx2 gets 32 mpg
Woooooah!! Volume way to high
So where is it?
how do you buy one????...........metrocab don't respond
I’ve never seen this eposide of Fake Taxi🤔
The SOx pollution should be zero since the government switched to zero sulphur gasoline and diesel. (Or maybe that was just the U.S.?) I'm also surprised to see glass between the driver and passenger. We don't have that in the states.
echo , echo, echo chamber needs some sound baffles
Pub on wheels
nice
Audio of an old iphone
Brilliant, get them on the streets.
My tx2 gets 32 mpg
It's too big for londons streets, maybe america though.
Brilliant taxi, but horrifically ugly.
I'm glad that anti-fracking ad didn't claim fracking is dangerous. The only problem, as it said, is the continued use of fossil fuels.
taxi price is rip off, they got Away with it ,for so long,and they want to continue for ever ripping taxi drivers off
Shocking ugly but the ones in the shelter look better.
damm London taxis are ugly
LPyourplay have you ever seen a CROWN VICTORIA , now that is an ugly car .
+Phillip Lopez the car most recognized as a patrol car?
could always force these on taxi drivers by banning old diesel ones would prefer a solar panel roof though on standard ones and glass roof for tourist ones
2017 7777777 any one