Re: Electric and Hybrid Cars

[T i m]

Maybe they are learning to avoid cars better these days. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

[The Natural Philosopher]

I've killed more pigeons than anything else I think.

Although pheasants and bunnies rate pretty high.

You must be in a non crop growing part of the world

[Andy Burns]

Only one I can see is the electric-only Nissan Dynamo (who've taken the opposite approach and turned a Van/MPV into a taxi) with 170 mile range

TFL's ZEC doesn't mean electric only.

The already mentioned LEVC TX is battery/petrol.

There is also a battery/petrol Ecotive Metrocab which went into administration and was bought by an Indian company

Any other "proper" taxis?

[Andy Burns]

As a private hire vehicle yes, but as a hackney carriage no.

[charles]

don't know, but Guildford's Park & Ride buses are now electrically powered. The old diesel engined ones have been refitted, but nobody thought to look at the suspension when it has to carry the weight of the batteries. As a result the passengers feel every bump in the road.

[charles]

That depends on the local authority. I think London is the only place to insist on special vehicles.

[T i m]

I think that (accurate) delineation happens more in / around London than anywhere in else in the UK and probably around the world (and not just because they are 'Hackney Carriages' etc). ;-)

eg, Apart from the Tuc Tuc, I think the London 'Taxi' (as opposed to a 'minicab' in London) being mostly the traditional Black Cab is one of the few examples of using a highly specialised vehicle for that role.

Looking down the Wiki list it seem one of the most commonly used brands is Toyota, but they all seem to use std production cars.

I wonder if the reason the Prius was picked up quickly by our Minicabbers was because of how we charge (congestion / emissions etc) in London? I think other congested cities only allow drivers in on alternate days etc (so no cost savings for running an EV / Hybrid, although there may be some of that as well)?

Cheers, T i m

[tim...]

I'm surprised that TPTB give any concession for this type of car (and it is such concessions that lead to sales)

plug in hybrids are a big enough "con" to the subsidy system

if this is what self charge is, it's blasting them away with a nuclear bomb

[polygonum_on_google]

"In Glasgow, all licensed taxis are black Hackney vehicles."

[Dave Plowman (News)]

You have a hybrid which can no longer be a hybrid because the battery is flat and the engine can't recharge it? What a waste of money.

My understanding is it is a hybrid with a reasonable range on batteries alone. Allowing you to use it as a pure electric vehicle when you want to.

[Theo]

That's fine if your daily commute is less than 30 miles, as it is for a lot of people - you can do it all on electric, only using petrol when going further afield. They (like all things) a compromise - up to you whether that fits your situation.

BIK is stepped based on electric range - for cars

[Theo]

A Prius is much more fuel efficient in stop/go traffic, which is where a lot of minicabs spend their time. Taxis spend a lot of money on fuel, so they make a lot of sense for city driving. Also, the Toyota hybrid transmission is pretty bomb-proof so no clutches, no DPFs, no cambelts, much less engine wear. They go for 200-400K miles with relatively modest servicing.

Theo

[Theo]

In a PHEV you pay a cost in weight of the battery, as well as its monetary cost. In a non-PHEV hybrid the battery is smaller (0.9-2 kWh, roughly 9-20 laptops) and so lighter. In both cases compared with pure-EV you have to drag around an engine as well.

If you're going to run your daily commute on the battery, a PHEV makes sense. If you aren't, it's just dead weight you have to pay for and drag around.

Horses, courses.

Theo

[Tim+]

Indeed. It?s just the way that ads seem to be trumping the phrase ?self charging? now as if that?s a massive plus. It?s a feature, not a ?bonus? compared to other hybrids.

Tim

[Dave Liquorice]

Pheasants are probably the highest with rabbits not far behind.

The crops round here are sheep and few cattle or trees. Include grouse if they are a "crop" rather than a "sport".

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Cheap to run for town use. And in London, exempt from the CC.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

The Pious is not popular as a used car for private use. Most who want a car of that size go for something that looks rather better. And since they are popular as cabs, even more reason not to want one for yourself.

[tim...]

IMHO

Hybrids should have an engine which is *only* useful for emergency use

a maximum size fuel tank for a range of 30 miles should be a requirement

tim

[tim...]

That's fine as a product for the eco warrior

It shouldn't be sufficient to get Tax discounts (and free tolls)

[The Natural Philosopher]

Right: pigeons thrive on grain crops and rape seed oil crops.