Back in September 2011, Mayor of London Boris Johnson called for a zero-emission taxi in London by the end of the decade. Today Nissan just unveiled the Nissan NV200 London Taxi, a vehicle that might just make that target achievable. The NV200 London Taxi will offer significantly reduced CO2 outputs compared to current taxi models. Something that should make the Mayor smile as it shares the same focus as his Air Quality strategy for London.
The NV200 will come in two version. One features a 1.5 dCi 89 HP EuroV diesel engine and a 6-speed manual drivetrain, that achieves 53.3 Miles per Gallon on a combined cycle. This achieves almost a 50% fuel saving compared to the, until now most efficient TX4, with it’s combined cycle figure of 35.3 Miles per Gallon. An all-electric e-NV200 concept is also set to undergo trials in the Capital.
“With a focus on improving air quality in the city, the NV200 London Taxi’s Euro V engine only emits up to 139g/km of CO2, compared with 209g/km from the ‘greenest’ TX4 model. As a relevant simulation, if all of London’s licensed taxis were replaced with the NV200 London Taxi, there would be a CO2 reduction across London of 37,970 metric tonnes each year – the equivalent of planting 10,000 acres, or two Congestion Charge zones, of trees every 12 months”
“An all electric version could have an even bigger impact on London’s air quality. Having been the first car manufacturer to mass produce a 100% electric family car with its trail-blazing Nissan LEAF, Nissan could cement its place at the forefront of motoring technology with the introduction of an all-electric e-NV200 London Taxi. With running costs estimated to be around one fifth of a conventional, diesel-powered Hackney Carriage it is likely to be popular with drivers too”, according to the Nissan press release.
London have already tried to reduce traffic, and the pollution that comes with it, by adding congestion charges to the inner parts of London, but these messures are just not enough. Making vehicles used in the Capital more efficient and with less produced CO2 emissions, seems to be a better and cleaner way to move forward. At the end of last years Transport for London announced plans to introduce hybrid double-decker buses in the city. Replacing taxis in London with a more environmental friendly alternative seems to be the next natural step forward.
London Assembly members have already voiced their concerned regarding the current slow rate of installing charging points for electric vehicles, it’s therefore critical that the politicians step up their game for this new en-devour to succeed. If a majority of the cabs in London get replaced with more environmental versions, and possibly even all electrical models in the future, so does the pressure build for the infrastructure to change with the times. This could lead to a positive spiral where more charging points for electric vehicles are installed, and therefore also the demand for electrical vehicles increase within the cities population. It could of course also fall flat if the infrastructure and build rate stay the same as today.
Taxi versions of the NV200 have already been unveiled in Tokyo and it has also been chosen as the exclusive New York City ‘Taxi of tomorrow’.
