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Manganese Bronze, the leading
manufacturer of the London black taxi, is pleased to announce that it
has signed a development agreement with The Tanfield Group Plc, the
world’s leading manufacturer of commercial electric vehicles, to develop
a battery powered, zero emission urban taxi.
The all-electric version of Manganese
Bronze’s TX4 black cab - to be branded the TX4E – will have a top speed
of 50mph and a range in excess of 100 miles on one battery charge. It is
specifically designed for taxi operations in congested urban areas.
The TX4E will contain all the
conventional features of the TX4, but will be powered by Tanfield’s
advanced electric drive train and Iron Phosphate lithium-ion battery
pack. Based on current electricity prices, it is estimated the TX4E will
cost less than 4p per mile to run, therefore providing significant whole
life cost savings over an equivalent diesel vehicle. The initial cost of
the TX4E is however likely to be higher than the diesel powered TX4. The
target date for the launch of the TX4E is mid 2009 following engineering
assessment and customer testing.
The TX4E will be manufactured in the UK
for the urban taxi market and sold through the Company’s distribution
networks.
John Russell, Chief Executive Officer
of Manganese Bronze, said:
“We are very pleased to have signed this
agreement to produce a zero emission London black taxi. Manganese Bronze
is committed to playing a leading role in tackling emissions and the
TX4E is an exciting new development that gives us first mover advantage
in an expanding global marketplace.”
Commenting, Darren Kell, Chief Executive
of The Tanfield Group Plc, said: “This partnership will create a unique
and highly marketable zero emissions vehicle.
“By integrating our cutting edge
battery and drive train technology into the class-leading TX4, we can
offer a truly global product that answers many of the issues raised by
urban private passenger transport – rising fuel costs, air pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions.” |
