Hundreds of electric minicabs could be operating in London within a year, the boss of a green fleet said today.
Alistair Clarke, founder of eConnect, is planning to increase the number of Nissan Leafs run by his company from 18 to 30 by autumn.
“Since the start of this year, we have done 45,000 emission-free passenger miles, saving nearly 200,000kg of CO2,” he said. “We are in effect doing today what many are saying would not be possible, even by 2018. This time next year, I think we will see at least 300 to 400 pure electric cabs in London.”
The cabs can use a rapid charger located off Edgware Road to get their battery close to full in 15 minutes. There is also one at the eConnect office in Canary Wharf, which takes three to four hours for a full charge.
With the charging infrastructure improving in London, Mr Clarke, 42, is recruiting more drivers and expects other firms to increase the number of electric minicabs in their fleets as well.
His company has carried 20,000 zero-emission fares — mainly for businesses — since setting up in the capital. He believes it could be taking on many more individual customers once the fleet reaches 50 to 60 cars.
Customers can already hire Tesla Model S vehicles through the firm.
The Standard is running a series of reports on how green technology can help curb air pollution, which scientists say causes thousands of Londoners to die prematurely every year.
On June 30 it will host a debate on technological fixes for the capital’s environmental challenges, chaired by Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark and sponsored by energy efficiency group Engie.
Mayor Boris Johnon is under pressure to do more to tackle air pollution. He highlights an ultra low emission zone due to be introduced in 2020. French firm Bolloré — behind the Autolib electric car-share scheme in Paris — has plans for thousands of battery-powered cars in London by 2018.
