In the tightly packed city of London, space is always at a premium and that poses particular challenges to the maker of the city's iconic black cabs. Since 2018, all new models of black cabs are hybrid vehicles combining an electric battery with a petrol range extender to ensure drivers don't have to stop to charge up during their shifts.

Now the manufacturer London Electric Vehicle Company, or LEVC, has taken a further step by launching new pure electric vehicle technology, aiming to build greener, smarter and more comfortable vehicle models. 

Developed over the past 2.5 years at Research & Development centers in China, Sweden, the UK and Germany, the company claims the new model "unprecedented flexibility" maximizes interior space, offering multiple seating and load-carrying configurations.

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Alex Nan, Global and UK CEO of LEVC, told CGTN during an exclusive interview is an addition to the current London Taxi TX product line.

"The two technologies supplement each other. We can produce new models at any time," said Nan.

LEVC claims its TX model makes up more than 40 percent of official black cabs in the UK, with over 6,000 vehicles operating in London alone.

The company was acquired by Chinese automaker Geely back in 2013. According to Nan, the merger has brought LEVC all kinds of resources including Volvo technology, in a bid to help the company expand the UK and global market.

The UK government launched a new scheme in 2022 to incentivize the purchase of EV cabs. The Plug-in Tax Grant scheme offers a discount on the price of eligible taxis of up to a maximum of £7,500 depending on the vehicle's range, emissions and design. One of the requirements is that the vehicle should be wheelchair accessible.

Nan called on the UK government to carry out more targeted policies to boost the EV industry.

"I think that if the British government recognizes climate change is an issue facing all mankind, and it does not want to be left behind in the era of smart electric vehicles, then they have to come up with some targeted policies in this regard," he said.

Cover image: LEVC