West Midlands Mayor visits LEVC’s pioneering electric black taxi Coventry factory
London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) welcomed Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, to its cutting-edge production facility in Ansty, Coventry today. The factory, backed by over £1 billion of investment from the Geely Holding Group since 2014, was the UK’s first dedicated electric vehicle manufacturing site.
Since production began in 2018, over 10,000 of LEVC’s TX electric taxis have been built in the Midlands, gaining global recognition. These cabs are at the forefront of electric transport, helping to reduce urban air pollution and aiding in the decarbonisation of transport networks worldwide.
LEVC’s TX model is particularly notable for its eco-friendly credentials, having prevented over 200,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. It also leads the market in accessibility, with space for six passengers and a built-in wheelchair ramp allowing forward-facing wheelchair access, a unique feature in taxis today. Powered by eCity technology, the TX offers a pure electric range of 78 miles, extending to 333 miles with its range-extender, making it ideal for London’s black cab drivers.
LEVC recently announced an ambitious new strategy to expand its horizons. Moving beyond its flagship TX, the company aims to become a leader in zero-carbon mobility. The plan builds on its rich legacy of producing London’s iconic black cabs, with a focus on developing an all-electric vehicle platform, Space Oriented Architecture (SOA), created in partnership with Geely. This new direction will allow LEVC to meet the rising demand for spacious, flexible electric vehicles.
Chris Allen, Managing Director, LEVC, said: “I am pleased to host the Mayor of West Midlands, Richard Parker, here today at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ansty, Coventry. With the support of Geely, £1billion has been invested since 2014, resulting in our remarkable plant and our purpose-built, electrically driven TX taxi; the optimum solution for drivers and businesses looking to transition to green mobility.
“I look forward to working closely with Richard and his team to ensure there is continued support for the iconic taxi trade in the UK and the creation of a stable regulatory and incentive-based landscape to safeguard future investment opportunities here in the Midlands.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:“Touring the TX black cab production line was fantastic. These pioneering electric taxis, made right here in our region, will be shipped worldwide. LEVC has exciting future plans, and we discussed how to support their growth, job creation, and continued success.
“It is through companies like LEVC that the West Midlands has rightly earned a reputation as a centre of innovation in green technology and advanced manufacturing and by backing this sector we can create more high-quality jobs and deliver the economic growth our region needs.”
