http://automiddleeast.com/2013/05/28/news/nissan-news/nissan-leaf-makes-inroads-as-zero-emission-taxi [images] Nissan LEAF makes inroads as zero emission taxi by Mark Appleton May 28 2013
[images http://automiddleeast.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/104895_1_5-416x234.jpg Amsterdam-based Taxi-E company operates a fleet of 13 Nissan LEAFs http://automiddleeast.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/104893_1_5-1024x679.jpg LEAF taxis are becoming a common sight on the streets of Hamburg http://automiddleeast.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/104896_1_5-369x277.jpg Phoenix Taxis in the UK runs a Nissan LEAF as part of its fleet ] Taxis are perhaps the last word in real world automotive testing as their owner and drivers demand reliability, economy and longevity in equal measure. So it’s always interesting to see how a newcomer fares when it muscles into this tough but potentially lucrative market. And according to Nissan, cities across Europe are going through a quiet revolution as taxi companies start to shift from conventional diesel-powered cabs to zero-emission – and near-silent – Nissan LEAF taxis. The world’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV) is attractive to taxi drivers thanks to lower running costs and by the desire of civic authorities to reduce airborne pollution in city centres which can also translate into savings for the hard-pressed cabbie. Two years after the ground-breaking EV went on sale in Europe, Nissan LEAF taxis are now operating in Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the UK. And more are on the way! One of the strongest advocates of the Nissan LEAF as a taxi is Amsterdam-based Taxi-E company. With a fleet of 13 Nissan LEAF’s, the firms’ drivers have covered over 700,000 kms – that’s further than the distance of the earth to the moon. The cars are quick-charged two or three times a day using 100 per cent green energy, meaning they’re always ready for passengers. One of the entrepreneurs behind Taxi-E, Ruud Zandvliet, said: “Amsterdam has some 3,000 taxis, so while our fleet is helping to reduce emissions, there is obviously room to reduce these even further.” Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, will soon have a fleet of pure electric Nissan LEAF taxis moving people around the city. Later this year, ten Nissan LEAFs will hit the road supported by a network of city-wide fast chargers as part of Zurich city’s plans to make 15 per cent of its taxi fleet electric by 2015. Capable of replenishing a battery to 80% in just 30 minutes, with many customers arriving with partially full batteries, the average stay is just 15 minutes. The Nissan LEAF is also a hit with European taxi owner-drivers where running costs, fuel bills and maintenance down time are critical to their success. These road warriors are fast-becoming EV advocates showing colleagues the benefits of making the switch from diesel to electric. In the UK, Phoenix Taxis runs a Nissan LEAF as part of its fleet and has installed three EV charging points at its headquarters in Blyth, Northumberland. Managing Director Alexander Hurst said: “The main cost to any taxi driver is fuel. With prices rocketing on a monthly basis, EVs are becoming the more sensible fleet vehicle cost.” “LEAF is incredibly luxurious and taxi drivers – notoriously unhappy with change – love the way LEAF drives. The gadgets available via the steering wheel also help make drivers’ lives easier. With real-time savings of £5,000 (€5,900) a year in fuel, we’re expanding our fleet and will have 15 LEAFs on the road by summer 2014.” Globally, Nissan LEAF-based taxis are helping to cut pollution on the streets of New York, Rio de Janeiro and many cities in Japan. Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Director Electric Vehicles Europe, said: “There is little doubt that the Nissan LEAF is an ideal vehicle for taxi operators. It’s cheap to run and easy to maintain. It’s good to drive and passengers like the space and comfort. “From a driver’s point of view, LEAF’s brisk acceleration allows it to easily keep with the traffic flow and the growth in quick-charging networks provides easier access to rapid ‘refuelling’. With zero-emissions and whisper-quiet running, just one Nissan LEAF can make a difference to life in the city.” [© AutoMiddleEast.com] http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2013/05/28/hail-taxi-and-it-might-be-an-electric-car-wherever-you-are/ Hail “Taxi!” and it might be an electric car-wherever you are by Faye Sunderland May 28 2013 - Nissan's all-electric LEAF car is increasingly finding work as a taxi car, as taxi companies clock on to the affordable running costs of a battery-powered model. [image http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/cms-images/Pheonix-taxi.jpg Pheonix taxis in the UK, already runs a Nissan LEAF and plans to add more soon ] ... 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