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Oslo is working on wireless charging for its electric taxis
As Norway's capital city prepares to ensure all taxis are zero emission by 2023, Oslo is setting up a wireless charging system for cabs. It aims to have the first such fast-charging taxi system in the world, though it's not clear exactly when it will be up and running. Charging plates will be installed at taxi ranks, which will link to receivers installed in cabs. The system will charge taxis at up to 75 kW.
London’s new electric taxis scuppered by faulty sensor
London's new electric taxis have been delayed. The "TX" cabs developed by LEVC were supposed to arrive in the capital late last year. But there's a problem with the system that tracks time and distance — recorded as electric "pulses" — for the all-important fare meter. It's forced the company to push back its delivery schedule while a fix is developed and approved by Transport for London (TfL). "Deliveries are subject to a short delay as a result of an unexpected issue with compatibility with the taxi meters and the taxi," an LEVC spokesperson said. "The problem is understood, and it involves the pulse messages sent between the vehicle and the meter."
London's new electric black cabs hit the streets
London's new electric taxis are almost ready for the public. Six test vehicles are being introduced to the city's streets today ahead of a planned roll out later this year. Participating drivers will be collecting data about potential emissions savings and the reality of using London's charger network. "We will now be able to accurately quantify the significant improvements these vehicles will make to London's air quality," Chris Gubbey, CEO for the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) said, "which will benefit all Londoners, regardless of whether [they] use taxis or not."
Better Place's electric taxis coming to SF Bay Area, thanks to $7 million grant
San Francisco, San Jose and Palo Alto, California were all too happy to endorse Better Place's electric vehicle infrastructure two years ago, but now the powers that be have invested some cash to get this show on the road. The Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission has dropped $6.9 million to purchase and build 61 electric taxis and four robotic battery swap stations to put freshly juiced cells in place -- just like Better Place has been doing with Tokyo taxis since April 26th. Yellow Cab Cooperative and Yellow Checker Cab will operate the zero-emission vehicles, though CNET reports that they've yet to choose a particular type -- perhaps we'll finally see Mitsubishi's i MiEV with a steering wheel on the left-hand side? PR after the break.
E7 electric taxi makes its debut in the UK
While New York taxis are set to go hybrid by 2012, at least one company in the UK looks to be doing its part to take things one step further, with it now showing off an all-electric taxi that it says will be available as soon as October of this year. Dubbed the E7, this one packs a bundle of lithium ion batteries that promise to give it a range of 100 miles on a single charge and a decent enough top speed of 60 miles per hour, as well as a price tag of £39,450 (or just over $78,000). It seems that not everyone's sold on the vehicle, however, as it recently got the thumbs down from London's taxi licensing division, meaning that Londoners won't be able to catch this particular near-silent ride anytime in the foreseeable future.[Via AutoblogGreen]
