The Taxi Shop awarded Dynamo electric taxi franchise covering South East and beyond
The Taxi Shop has joined the Dynamo electric taxi franchise covering South East and beyond.
The taxi now on sale at the Ampthill-based taxi supplier is based on a fully engineered Nissan e-NV200 Evalia MPV interior for the taxi market, including the latest in contactless payment solutions, passenger and driver convenience.
Drivers benefit from a built-in infotainment system, heated seats and steering wheel, while passengers have custom-built seating, wheelchair accessibility and an enlarged glass roof for extra lighting. To satisfy Transport for London (TfL) approval, Dynamo also reduced the Nissan’s turning circle to meet the 25-foot turning circle requirements allowing it to tackle the tightest of London’s streets.
The Dynamo Taxi has a range of up to 187 miles from a single charge (WLTP City) and is compatible with 50kW CHAdeMO rapid charging.
An average taxi driver in London covers a distance of 90 to 120 miles a day, spending roughly £25 in fuel a day. Using a home charger, it will cost Dynamo Taxi drivers £3 to £6 in electricity to cover the same distance, saving drivers roughly £20 a day in running costs alone.
Rob Breuilly, Managing Director and owner of The Taxi Shop, said: “The shift to hybrid and electric vehicles is inevitable and is happening faster than many think. The Taxi Shop prides itself on being innovative and winning this franchise for the new Nissan NV200 fully electric hackney taxi, known as the Dynamo, demonstrates our future strategy.”
Breuilly added: “For this opportunity we looked carefully at the savings drivers and fleet owners can make over a five-year period. We calculate a £17,255.00 saving over five years against a typical new diesel minibus. Be in no doubt, the trade is gradually getting greener, driven by government and local authority regulations, and we are part of that journey.
“We believe the time is now for smart operators to take advantage of the savings a fully electric offers in the mid- and long-term.”
Brian Bachelor of The Dynamo Motor Company said: “The Taxi Shop is the largest supplier of vehicles to the taxi trade in England and Wales and a great choice of franchise partner for us. Over 19 years Rob’s team has shown a commitment to quality and service that matches our own.”
Back in May the Coventry-based fully electric taxi manufacturer secured a £1.25million loan to recruit and train new employees in a bid to grow production output.
The funding, which was provided by the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and Maven Capital Partners, was handed to Dynamo to recruit and train 50 new employees.
