Electric London cabs.

[So]

I’ve been in a few in the past couple of days and I don’t like them. Or the ride at least.

Only one driver managed to drive the car in a comfortable way. The others accelerated like a missile and then braked like he had dropped an anchor.

I presume that something about the cars rewards that type of driving. I imagine they have regenerative braking, but what is the acceleration all about? Is it more efficient or something?

The suspension also seemed harsh.

I found myself actively seeking out diesel cabs.

[So]

valiant said:

Brother’s a black cab driver and recently upgraded to the new ‘lecy ones. Night and day difference to him. Old diesel ones were a piece of st in comparison - horrible to drive, crashy suspension, unreliable (he’d had a few!) and not very economical at all.

He has a range extender petrol engine in his and he uses the petrol engine to get him into London where he then switches over to electric only and this will last him the day (with maybe a quick fast charge while he has a break if he’s been especially busy) and then petrol mode for going home. He’s saving a small fortune in fuel costs and the cab is soooooo much more comfortable than the old clunker he had before. People’s attitudes are also changing where passengers are happy to let a diesel cab go and wait for an electric one to show. This shift in attitude is also encouraging drivers who’d wanted to wait before changing to speed up their decision to change. Win all round.

Made by Geely and built on a Volvo platform I think.

Perhaps I just got unlucky with my drivers this time then, but it was a bit like being in a track car - acceleration or braking and not much in between. Or perhaps the electric cabs just encourage driving that isn't possible in diesels.

[So]

vikingaero said:

So said:

Perhaps I just got unlucky with my drivers this time then, but it was a bit like being in a track car - acceleration or braking and not much in between. Or perhaps the electric cabs just encourage driving that isn't possible in diesels.

If they accelerate quickly there's a sudden spike in electricity to the meter, and when they brake hard they have increased regen - win win for a cabbie (maybe)!

As I disembarked one cab I had a brief chat with the driver about the regen, "Brilliant aint it, woudn't be without it. Without it the cab just, like, rolls."

His interpretation of "brilliant" and mine clearly differed.

[So]

The new ones seem greater in number every time I go down. I suspect they are being pushed quite hard in that direction.

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untakenname said:

So said:

Perhaps I just got unlucky with my drivers this time then, but it was a bit like being in a track car - acceleration or braking and not much in between. Or perhaps the electric cabs just encourage driving that isn't possible in diesels.

They probably just got the cab and still excited about the performance, give it a few months and they will calm down.

Went to ISE a few years back, Schipol airport had just green so only electric cars were allowed in the ranks closest to the airport.
There was a mixture of Leafs and Tesla's, naturally took the Tesla and the driver booted it at every opportunity which was great going from the airport but coming back hungover wasn't as appreciated.

iirc TFL had the same issue with hybrid buses and so reduced the rate of acceleration from standstill so passengers were less likely to fall over so perhaps if there's a demand for less performance from customers then the cabs will have the performance off the line reduced.

Interesting stuff.

[So]

sasha320 said:

Spoke to an electric cab driver yesterday and he claimed that the electric cab did 55 miles on a single charge.

I heard this too.