The UK was Nissan’s biggest market for worldwide electric taxi sales in the previous financial year, with 78 of the company’s zero-emission models (LEAF and e-NV200) delivered to taxi firms around the country including C&C Taxis and Premier Cabs in Blackpool.
Europe has proved to be the continent most willing to make the switch to all-electric taxis, with 48% of global sales in 2015. Worldwide, electric taxi sales have increased 34% whereas in Europe sales have increased 66% from 426 to 709.
Madrid is home to the largest electric taxi fleet, with 110 Nissan LEAF 30kWh taxis courtesy of La Cuidad del Taxi. The electric taxi market in Europe is growing quickly as taxi operators switch on to the benefits of zero emission mobility. Nissan has sold almost 800 electric vehicles (LEAF and e-NV200) to taxi owners and operators across Europe.
In January this year, six of the largest and longest-established Nissan taxi fleets in the UK – Phoenix Taxis in Blyth, Northumberland, C&C Taxis in Cornwall, Premier Cabs in Blackpool, 203020 Electric in Dundee, eConnect Cars in London and eCorporate Travel in Edinburgh –surpassed three million miles between them, saving the firms a collective £290,000 in average running costs.
Gareth Dunsmore, Head of Electric Vehicles, Nissan Europe said:
“Cities across the globe are facing huge challenges in terms of poor air quality and increasing greenhouse emissions. Adding zero emission vehicles such as the Nissan LEAF to taxi services operating in major cities is a vital step to tackling these challenges head on.”
The Nissan LEAF is the best-selling EV in the world with more than 220,000 units sold globally. The new LEAF 30 kWh offers a range of up to 155miles on a single charge, making it an ideal taxi vehicle, with its size, comfort and performance all well-suited to urban environments. In addition to its zero emission benefits, the Nissan LEAF also offers running costs four times cheaper than that of a conventional combustion engine and up to 40 percent savings in maintenance costs.
Source; Nissan
