Vehicle
November 2019 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 11
Some drivers like the option as you’re not using any power and it can deliver extra miles of range. The ‘two’ setting is the opposite and applies an automatic regen brake, which will slow the vehicle to a near standstill. The middle option, ‘one’, is my preferred and runs most like the old diesel cabs with a gentler brake. The regen braking will also produce valuable extra power and add it to your range. Image: LEVC
Drivers who have capability to charge at home should absolutely invest in a home charger. It cost me a few hundred quid to have installed and means I can fully charge the taxi for roughly £2. After that you’re
charge whilst taking a break. Many drivers are quick to say charging is ‘dead time’ which could be used to take fares. That’s simply not the case. You should always charge before shift when at home enjoying your free time. After that it’s a bonus. Because it’s a range extender there’s no anxiety. You don’t HAVE to charge when you reach zero or close to empty. You simply charge when it’s convenient to you. It’s not cost effective to turn your light off and search for one. Simply put, if you’re nearby a working available charge point, charge then.
A full charge will last 50-60 miles or roughly 5 hours daytime shift time. After that amount of time you’d expect to stop for 30 minutes (wouldn’t you?!) to then charge again for another 5-7 hours. At night-time you’ll eat the mileage up quicker, but you’ll still experience the same fuel savings. If you are working an 8-hour shift, you don’t NEED to charge, simply finish the last part on petrol. Living in Gloucestershire, I do a lot of miles on the motorway. On the M40 and A40 I’m usually using the ‘Save’ mode option, which allows the taxi to function on its 1.5 litre turbo petrol range extender engine and save the electric charge for when I’m working in the city. Performance isn’t sacrificed as the combustion engine acts as an electric generator topping up the battery. Fuel SAVINGS for me range between £110-130 per week compared to similar working habits in my diesel TX4. All full-time cabbies should experience the same kind of savings given I do my motorway mileage on
looking at street charging, which varies in price depending on charge provider. Unless you choose to charge at a motorway service station, the cost is roughly £5 for a 90% charge, which will take 3540mins. Finding a working or available rapid 50kW charger is however becoming harder by the day. 22kW chargers shouldn’t be dismissed as you get a good
Image: LEVC
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