camelot-forum.co.uk

London Electric Vehicle Company (backed by Chinese coglomerate Geely, who also own Volvo and Polestar) which makes the range-extender hybrid electric Black Cab (based on the Volvo XC90 chassis) and also the recently launched small EV van, has announced a major package of job redundancies from its base in Coventry.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-c ... e-63457997

There are about 4000 of these on duty in London now, but still a long way from replacing all of the old clanker diesels, and I don't think they've taken the export market by storm either, as the specifications for Hackney Carriage are really very tight compared to a lot of other cities regulations.

Have to wonder why they've not made a full BEV version by now. That range extender is a big cost and complexity headache.

I think one of the problems with what amounts to a custom vehicle like this is that they just don't get replaced very often. London cabs seem to stay in service for a lot longer than most people keep cars, so once most of the cabbies that want them, have them, there is then no market left.

Shame, as the design of the London cab is really extremely practical, as well as being robust. Nothing comes close in terms of practicability, from the incredibly tight turning circle through to the ability to carry a wide range of passengers and their luggage. Why other countries haven't picked up on the practicality of the London cab remains a mystery, but may well be down to the pretty stringent controls imposed (by law, I believe) that have shaped the design.

I had a friend, years ago, who had a large family (complicated, but essentially he was polygamous, with three "wives" and many children) and he bought a London cab as a family car. Have to say it was a really practical way to get around, especially as they lived in London, so their pattern of use for the car was close to the purposes for which the thing had been designed.

Oldgreybeard wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 6:06 pm I had a friend, years ago, who had a large family (complicated, but essentially he was polygamous, with three "wives" and many children) and he bought a London cab as a family car. Have to say it was a really practical way to get around, especially as they lived in London, so their pattern of use for the car was close to the purposes for which the thing had been designed.

Didn't realise we had people with Royal connections here! (D of E apparently drove a black cab for reasons of disguise / discretion. - What is the word I'm looking for?)

AE-NMidlands wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 6:10 pm Didn't realise we had people with Royal connections here! (D of E apparently drove a black cab for reasons of disguise / discretion. - What is the word I'm looking for?)

No royal connections, at least as far as I'm aware of. He was a palaeontologist, working at the British Museum, unlikely as that might seem for someone with three "wives" and six or seven children!