Electric cars

NigeWick

Deleted_User wrote: »

I saw a Nissan Leaf being used as a minicab today. How does that work?

There's a company down in Cornwall that uses them. "fancy a bev mate" on Youtube uses a 40kWh Leaf as a taxi.

almillar

I saw a Nissan Leaf being used as a minicab today. How does that work?

How does it not?! You never see taxi drivers sitting in their car without a fare? They can spend that time charging, if they need to. If it's the newer Leaf, 40kWh, he can drive all day around a city centre without charging. Actually, with heavy enough traffic, even an old 24kWh Leaf could last all day in a congested city.

[Deleted User]

almillar wrote: »

How does it not?! You never see taxi drivers sitting in their car without a fare? They can spend that time charging, if they need to. If it's the newer Leaf, 40kWh, he can drive all day around a city centre without charging. Actually, with heavy enough traffic, even an old 24kWh Leaf could last all day in a congested city.

I didnt realise the batteries were that good. That does make sense, the savings could be huge.

ElefantEd

There are loads of Leaf taxis in Edinburgh. Which is fine except when they clog up the charging point you want to use......

Martyn1981

Deleted_User wrote: »

I didnt realise the batteries were that good. That does make sense, the savings could be huge.

The new London taxi's have useable battery capacity similar, and are good for about 80 miles. Apparently the drivers are saving approx £100 per week, and the Mayor recently announced more dedicated fast chargers so they use their range extenders (small 3cyl petrol engines) less.

I suppose 80 miles in London is a lot longer (timewise) than many other places, so also need to factor in all idling times too - though I appreciate ICE stop-start tech can do this too.

Recent Fully Charged episode around this issue.

Herzlos

Average driving speeds in London are apparently about 16.5mph in outer london, 7.4mph in the centre.

So a taxi with an 80 mile range can do about 4-8 hours "driving" on a charge. Neat. Hook that in with charging at taxi ranks and there should be no need to use any fuel unless the fares are leaving the city.

almillar

Average driving speeds in London are apparently about 16.5mph in outer london, 7.4mph in the centre.

So a taxi with an 80 mile range can do about 4-8 hours "driving" on a charge. Neat. Hook that in with charging at taxi ranks and there should be no need to use any fuel unless the fares are leaving the city

Yep, clogged up cities are perfect for EVs, and for that kind of taxi work. Fuel not being wasted when stopped and quieter obviously. I've been in the new London EV cabs and they're light years ahead. Apart from the EV bit they're so much more confortable too. When the motor does kick in, it's hard to notice, especially if you're with other traffic. If the drivers are properly motivated, and they are, by, you know, cost, they'll maximise electric use and use the engine for backup, charging during breaks etc. and it looks like London is actually installing infrastructure to do so.

Car_54

almillar wrote: »

Yep, clogged up cities are perfect for EVs, and for that kind of taxi work. Fuel not being wasted when stopped and quieter obviously. I've been in the new London EV cabs and they're light years ahead. Apart from the EV bit they're so much more confortable too. When the motor does kick in, it's hard to notice, especially if you're with other traffic. If the drivers are properly motivated, and they are, by, you know, cost, they'll maximise electric use and use the engine for backup, charging during breaks etc. and it looks like London is actually installing infrastructure to do so.

In a typical cab rank, the vehicles move forward every few minutes. How dooes the charging setup cope with that?

scott291074

Electric cars, if you travel by car to work and do lots of driving are very tax efficient compared to the ordinary gas guzzler vehicles. They are certainly worth looking into in the future and our current vehicles will be gone in the not too near future.

Ectophile

Car_54 wrote: »

In a typical cab rank, the vehicles move forward every few minutes. How dooes the charging setup cope with that?

I don't suppose they will be charging while waiting at a taxi rank.


But taxi drivers need lunch breaks just like anybody else.