The London Taxi Company today announced the official opening of the UK’s first car plant dedicated solely to the production of range extended electric vehicles. This new vehicle plant in Coventry, is where the world’s first purpose built, mass market electric taxi will be built. LTC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geely, has invested more than £300m in the new site and the next-generation London taxi, which will be produced at the plant and exported around the world. The investment and expansion of LTC has created more than 1,000 new jobs.
Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman of the London Taxi Company, said: «The opening of our new plant sets a number of records; it’s the first brand new automotive manufacturing facility in Britain for over a decade; the first dedicated electric vehicle factory in the UK; and the first major Chinese investment in UK automotive. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved today».
The taxi vehicle, designed mainly by the Geely design studio of Barcellona guided by David Ancona, is using proven Volvo Car electric powertrain system technologies and components comprising a new EV light weight platform, while retaining the iconic design heritage recognized around the world. The all new electric taxi goes on sale first in London in quarter four 2017, and then around the world in early 2018. The new vehicle will be highly competitive with substantially lower fuel costs than its previous taxis.
