New, electric black cabs are due to arrive in London later this year.

The hybrid vehicles, made by the London Taxi Company, will be capable of driving with zero emissions at a range of up to 70 miles, potentially saving drivers up to £2,800 in fuel costs per year.

The new taxi will replace the TX4, of which over 17,000 models have been produced.

Chinese-owned LTC will be able to build 20,000 vehicles per year from their newly opened £300 million plant in Ansty, Coventry, and it’s expected that there will be 10,000 electric taxis on Britain’s roads by 2021.

The ultra-low emission cab’s big reveal comes following the announcement of regulations stating that all new taxis in central London from January 2018 must be zero emission capable.

The government has announced a £64 million investment to promote the use of electric taxis, including a £50 million grant that will give taxi drivers a discount of up to £7,500 on a new car.

The scheme will also provide TfL with £5.2 million to create new, dedicated charge points for taxi drivers in London, with 90 being planned for the end of 2018.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: “Our iconic black cabs are famous across the world.

“Through our ambitious industrial strategy, we are committed to building on our strengths and taking advantage of the opportunities the new low carbon economy provides.”

Yet some taxi drivers who hold yellow badges (allowing them to operate only in London’s suburbs) are sceptical about being able to afford a zero emissions taxi, even with government initiatives.

Steve Whitey, 58, has been working his route for 7 years and says he knows of only two drivers on his patch in this time who have bought new vehicles, instead of second-hand or rented ones.

Josh Carpenter, 30, said: “It’s not worth investing the money. Definitely in the suburbs it’s not worth it.”

One taxi driver, who didn’t want to be named, covers Wimbledon, Sutton and Wimbledon and has been driving a cab for 15 years.

He said: “10 years ago I was the breadwinner in my house. Now my wife is.

“You can’t earn a living here.”

However, the chief executive of Greenpeace, John Sauven, welcomed the news.

Mr Sauven said: "Black cabs have a bad reputation for belching out dirty diesel fumes. This isn't the fault of the cab drivers but the cab manufacturers. 


"This is a welcome step for both pedestrians and cyclists who up till now have been breathing in these fumes. It's also a huge boon to manufacturing jobs in the Midlands.”

He added: “From being a step ahead of the London Taxi Company, the car manufacturers are now trailing far behind. It's time they ditched diesel and invested in electric car manufacturing in the UK."