Thousands of electric taxis in London have saved 6800 tonnes of CO2

Electric taxi maker London EV Company announced on Thursday (Australian time) that is has rolled 2,500 all-electric, “zero emissions capable” taxis off its factory floor, saving 6800 tonnes of carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions from entering the atmosphere, the equivalent of 1,500 return flights from Sydney to London.

The EV maker, which produces the electric TX taxis at its facility in Ansty, Coventry, has 2,000 taxis servicing passengers in London as well as across 20 other cities in the UK as well as Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Across its entire fleet, London EV Company (LEVC) – which comes under the wing of Chinese carmaker Geely who invested £500 million ($A889 million) in the taxi maker – says that it has prevented around 850,000 litres of fossil fuel from being used.

“When this project began in 2014, we set out to make the world’s most advanced taxi, to distill over 70 years of cab-building knowledge into an all-new leader in urban zero emissions mobility,” said LEVC chief Jorerg Hofmann at an event marking the 2,500th taxi to roll off the production line in Ansty on Wednesday.

“We are proud to be supporting the city of London in its efforts to improve air quality – and doing the same across the UK.”

Shirley Rodrigues, London’s deputy mayor for environment and energy said electric vehicles were are key ingredient to help reduce the city’s pollution and address what it has acknowledged as “climate emergency.”

“It’s fantastic news there are now more than 2,000 electric taxis on London’s road as we move away from more polluting petrol and diesel vehicles,” she said.

While not strictly all-electric – the TX taxis can drive up to 80 miles or 128km on pure electric on TX eCity range extender powertrain – the taxis have reduced NOx emissions by 99.5 per cent says LEVC, while offering passengers a silent, soothing ride.

Saving drivers on average £110 ($A195) a week in fuel, they also continue the tradition of London taxi design, with an exterior that gives a distinct nod to the iconic shape of London’s black taxis and retains the cab’s renowned disability access features.

In addition to the success of its TX electric taxi, LEVC also have plans to introduce a light commercial vehicle that will also be made at the Ansty facility, and that will share Geely technology.

“In the very near future we will be further driving TX sales in Europe and expanding our range with a new LCV. Our goal is to be the leading European green commercial mobility solution provider,” says Hofmann.