The London Taxi Company (LTC) will launch its first electrically powered black cab in late 2017, ahead of Transport For London (TFL) legislation that all new cabs must be ‘zero-emission capable’.

Previous reports described the model as a hybrid, but the new cab will adopt a range-extended electric set-up much like the Vauxhall Ampera and BMW i3 Range Extender. The news follows Autocar’s story of a range-extended delivery van, which will be built alongside the new taxi model.

Details remain under close wraps ahead of the car’s reveal late next year, but LTC revealed to Autocar at the London motor show that the model will be an electrically powered car with a range-extender petrol engine.

TFL will introduce the ‘zero-emission capable’ legislation on 1 January 2018, although production of the new electric taxi will begin once work has finished on LTC’s new purpose-built plant in Coventry later this year.

LTC is keeping quiet about the finer details of the EV taxi, saying only that the range "exceeds requirements comfortably". A final figure will be determined when testing concludes.

LTC CEO Peter Johansen gave further insight, saying only one fill-up per day would be needed for the range-extending petrol generator. “A taxi driver will do 150-200 miles in a day, so the idea is the driver will top-up once during the day and travel the whole day on electric power.”

Johansen also clarified the necessity for a range-extender rather than a traditional battery EV, citing recharging times and the lack of a fast-charge infrastructure as contributory factors for the traditional battery EV’s incompatibility with taxi use. He also revealed that since Geely - which also owns Volvo - acquired the London Taxi Company in 2013, Geely chairman Li Shufu's aim has been to build an electrified taxi.

Johansen also noted that the current investment in infrastructure isn’t enough to cope with demand, and that the limited resources mean the plan to introduce 150 fast-chargers to London has been scaled back to just 75.

Johansen also thought that the new powertrain would go down well with London cabbies. “The cabbies are very very enthusiastic, I talk to a number of them regularly and they can’t wait to have a new cab to take the green initiative,” he said.

Like it or not, cabbies will have no choice but to adopt the range-extender LTC model once the TFL legislation takes place at the beginning of 2018.

http://goo.gl/zEFAzD


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A woman was raped in Wigan after she was picked up by a car she believed to be a taxi.

The victim, in her 30s, was picked up by a pale blue or silver BMW which she believed to be a taxi on Market Street, in Hindley, Wigan .

She was then driven to an unknown location in the Platt Bridge area of the town where she was raped.

Police are now hunting a man following the incident, which happened at around 12.10am on Monday May 2.

He is described as being Asian, in his 30s and of average build. He spoke in broken English and was wearing white clothing.

The incident was reported to police a short time later and the woman is now being provided with support by specially trained officers.

Police are now warning people to make sure to use licensed taxis from reputable firms.

Officers have launched an investigation and are appealing for any information about the incident.

Detective Constable Kevin Byrne, of Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan Division, urged any witnesses to come forward.

He said: “This is an awful incident which has understandably left the victim feeling very distressed and she is now being provided with support from specially trained officers at this difficult time.

“I know an incident such as this will understandably cause a lot of concern within the community but I want to assure everybody that we have launched a full investigation with a team of determined detectives working to identify the person responsible.

“If you believe you may have information that can assist us or you think you may have seen a car and man fitting this description in the Wigan area then please contact police immediately.

“We would also ask that members of the public to take a taxi they can trust, ensuring it is licensed and from a reputable firm.”

Anybody with information about the incident should contact police on 0161 856 1828 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

http://goo.gl/NQBwwi
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SYDNEY


Uber have told its drivers that they can now pick up passengers from Sydney Airport's domestic and international terminals, in a further blow to the taxi industry.
Passengers will be able to flag an UberX or UberBlack car through a virtual queue system at each terminal and be met by drivers at the airport's free public pick up zones.
The lucrative airport pickup had been the sole domain of taxi's but since legislation passed legalising the ride-sharing app, Uber decided to lift its block on accessing passengers from the site.
This has caused outrage among taxi drivers who have labelled their Uber counterparts as 'cowboy bandits and non-tax payers'.


Uber said the controversial move was made in response to thousands of passengers who open the app at the airport expressing interest in booking an uberX ride.
'In response to the huge demand for UberX at Sydney Airport, we have opened functionality in the app for driver-partners to pick up riders from the airport,' Uber said in a statement on Thursday.
Sydney Airport said last month it was considering new arrangements including a potential dedicated pick-up zone, but had not agreed upon how it would be implemented while also avoiding congestion.

Following Uber's announcement on Thursday, airport authorities said they will be working with the ride-sharing app and other driving services to develop 'new arrangements to accommodate all booked service operators at the airport'.
'We will shortly be consulting with our airport partners regarding these new proposed arrangements, as it's essential to ensure we implement a solution that works for everyone and minimises traffic circulation through the airport precinct.' 
Uber said it would continue to work with the airport on finalising signage and designated pick-up zones, but taxi drivers have slammed the move as 'arrogant and irresponsible'. 

http://goo.gl/yIUxpY
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