Electric taxis

ted1 · 10-02-2021 12:01pm #1

seems to be decent scrappage grants for taxi drivers now. will we see a lot more of then on the streets.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2f0f5-launch-of-electric-spsv-grant-scheme-2021/

Is the model 3 still not allowed? what EV's are allowed be used as taxis?

Gumbo · 10-02-2021 1:19pm

ted1 wrote: »

seems to be decent scrappage grants for taxi drivers now. will we see a lot more of then on the streets.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2f0f5-launch-of-electric-spsv-grant-scheme-2021/

Is the model 3 still not allowed? what EV's are allowed be used as taxis?

Leaf, old and new model.
I think theres an exemption for the volume capacities for EVs to encourage it. That's how the older Leaf qualified.

Theres 2 or 3 Leaf taxi drivers on the facebook group.
Be hard to encourage change over now during a pandemic, the industry has been shattered!

unkel · 10-02-2021 1:22pm

I've seen Tesla Model 3 taxis. Can't think of any reason why it wouldn't be allowed. Some borderline cars have even got an exemption. A Renault Zoe is allowed as a taxi

:rolleyes:

The one EV you don't see as a taxi is the Hyundai Ioniq. Because Hyundai invalidate the warranty when it is used as a taxi. Shame on them. What are they afraid of? And of course Nissan Leaf taxis are reasonably common, but mostly the newer model as the older model just lacks the range

Whenever I see an EV taxi I think: clever man. Bagging all the subsidies and then owning a taxi that only costs a fraction in fuel and maintenance of an ICE taxi. I don't understand why there are all these Prius taxis and very few Leafs and other EVs...

L1011 · 10-02-2021 1:44pm

Over the summer, it seemed like we'd defined a standard taxi vehicle for the first time - a silver Prius. 80% of the taxis plying were one! But they're nearly all three to four years old - I suspect the cost of a new one is beyond many drivers hence the lack of even heavily subsidised EVs.

unkel · 10-02-2021 1:57pm

L1011 wrote: »

Over the summer, it seemed like we'd defined a standard taxi vehicle for the first time - a silver Prius. 80% of the taxis plying were one! But they're nearly all three to four years old - I suspect the cost of a new one is beyond many drivers hence the lack of even heavily subsidised EVs.

There has hardly been a single cheap night ferry between L'pool and Dublin over the last few years before COVID that didn't have a Prius on board driven by its proud new owner taxi driver to be

JohnC. · 10-02-2021 2:05pm

I’ve seen an eNiro taxi a couple of times.

slave1 · 10-02-2021 2:21pm

Wonder are taxi plates cheap these days?

cannco253 · 10-02-2021 2:29pm

Loads of Tesla taxis at Schipol when I was last there, but interesting story below

https://www.electrive.com/2020/12/09/tesla-in-taxi-trouble-in-holland/

Gumbo · 10-02-2021 2:34pm

slave1 wrote: »

Wonder are taxi plates cheap these days?

You can only buy Wheelchair accessible taxi plates these days.
I've been there done that, still have my licence and a plate out there.

The licence is only a couple of hundred euro but the catch is you have to buy a wheelchair car less than 7 years old.

I remember buying and selling SPSV Plates at over €6k!

You cant transfer them nowadays

unkel · 10-02-2021 3:15pm

Back in the day they were 80k punts! Taxi owners had to take out mortgages for them and drive them with 2 "cosys" 24/7 to make that work and they were still a bunch of bangers :eek:

10-02-2021 3:18pm

Gumbo wrote: »

You can only buy Wheelchair accessible taxi plates these days.(

Nissan eNV200 FTW

Gumbo · 10-02-2021 3:32pm

unkel wrote: »

Back in the day they were 80k punts! Taxi owners had to take out mortgages for them and drive them with 2 "cosys" 24/7 to make that work and they were still a bunch of bangers :eek:

I know. They were considered their pension too and over night they lost the value!
There was uproar.

I remember a lot of people working as hackney drivers (remember them) as it was too expensive for a plate.

ted1 · 10-02-2021 3:36pm

L1011 wrote: »

Over the summer, it seemed like we'd defined a standard taxi vehicle for the first time - a silver Prius. 80% of the taxis plying were one! But they're nearly all three to four years old - I suspect the cost of a new one is beyond many drivers hence the lack of even heavily subsidised EVs.

a lot of the Prius are imported and rented to drivers.

https://www.rentataxidublin.ie/

L1011 · 10-02-2021 3:40pm

Gumbo wrote: »

I remember a lot of people working as hackney drivers (remember them) as it was too expensive for a plate.

A small proportion of the drivers for my local radio base / whatever Noel Ebbs app is called this week pre-COVID were on hack plates still. Most would be full taxis these days.

zg3409 · 10-02-2021 10:30pm

unkel wrote: »

I've seen Tesla Model 3 taxis. Can't think of any reason why it wouldn't be allowed. .

Rear windows heavy heavy default tint, and taxis are not allowed to have tinted rear windows for security. You might be able to replace the rear glass, but might not be able to get from Tesla. I think there is a model 3 taxi in Cork so that person got away with it or did something. There is a Tesla model s taxi in Dublin.

If it was me I would want far more 50kW+ chargers in the right location for mid shift charging. I would also like pubs and airports to be back to normal.

A lot of this hybrids on the road are jap imports. Part of the reason is they are highly reliable and can go in EV mode in city centre stop start traffic. They must be cheaper than equivalent diesel for Dublin drivers

Gumbo · 10-02-2021 10:42pm

zg3409 wrote: »

Rear windows heavy heavy default tint, and taxis are not allowed to have tinted rear windows for security. You might be able to replace the rear glass, but might not be able to get from Tesla. I think there is a model 3 taxi in Cork so that person got away with it or did something. There is a Tesla model s taxi in Dublin.

If it was me I would want far more 50kW+ chargers in the right location for mid shift charging. I would also like pubs and airports to be back to normal.

A lot of this hybrids on the road are jap imports. Part of the reason is they are highly reliable and can go in EV mode in city centre stop start traffic. They must be cheaper than equivalent diesel for Dublin drivers

Tesla don’t come with rear tints so the factory glass passes the SPSV suitability test.

In Dublin there is an abundance of charge points to charge mid job, especially with the CCS on the new age Tesla.

zg3409 · 10-02-2021 11:09pm

Gumbo wrote: »

Tesla don’t come with rear tints so the factory glass passes the SPSV suitability test.

In Dublin there is an abundance of charge points to charge mid job, especially with the CCS on the new age Tesla.

This is tint rule (maybe its the S that has the issue)
Taxis and hackneys, wheelchair accessible taxis and wheelchair accessible hackneys: all windows must be ‘clear’, i.e. allow at least 65% light transmission (no more than 35% tint). If the rear windows appear much darker than the front side glass the vehicle will likely fail its inspection. There are no window tint restrictions for limousines but clear windscreen and front side windows are needed for the NCT.

There is no Tesla on the approved list (last updated 2019 shown here:)

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/taxi/vehicle-licensing/

I am not sure why the list is not updated, and it might just be a matter of a phone call, but it might be a hiccup.

It lists the leaf. A simple thing like not on the list might cause issues. Niro is on the list, the soul is not. Kona non EV failed.

Gumbo · 11-02-2021 1:25am

zg3409 wrote: »

This is tint rule (maybe its the S that has the issue)
Taxis and hackneys, wheelchair accessible taxis and wheelchair accessible hackneys: all windows must be ‘clear’, i.e. allow at least 65% light transmission (no more than 35% tint). If the rear windows appear much darker than the front side glass the vehicle will likely fail its inspection. There are no window tint restrictions for limousines but clear windscreen and front side windows are needed for the NCT.

There is no Tesla on the approved list (last updated 2019 shown here:)

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/taxi/vehicle-licensing/

I am not sure why the list is not updated, and it might just be a matter of a phone call, but it might be a hiccup.

It lists the leaf. A simple thing like not on the list might cause issues. Niro is on the list, the soul is not. Kona non EV failed.

Model S doesn’t come with rear privacy glass either.

bk · 11-02-2021 12:25pm

zg3409 wrote: »

If it was me I would want far more 50kW+ chargers in the right location for mid shift charging. I would also like pubs and airports to be back to normal.

There was a very interesting video on Fully Charged this week from Shenzen in China. They have 5,000 EV taxis (and 6,000 buses).

They have depots for the taxi drivers with lots of fast chargers, but the depots is also a building that includes cafe, cafeteria, gym and health center for the taxi drivers. Get lunch, etc. while waiting for the taxi to charge up. Interesting idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P7fTPLSMeI

unkel · 11-02-2021 12:48pm

I saw that a few days ago and the one thing that struck me was the excellent English several of the spokespersons had. They are on a fierce path into the future and as usual, we in the west do all the inventing and the hard expensive work (R&D), they usually follow, but this time they've overtaken us and we are not keeping up

A million BEV passenger buses, putting down more renewables per year than the rest of the world combined (this is true for wind AND solar PV AND hydro), etc.

beauf · 11-02-2021 12:51pm

We used t run a hackney and Taxi. Cost of servicing, and maintenance was substantial. Especially with a diesel.

ted1 · 11-02-2021 1:35pm

I know that the London taxis did not out well when they tried them here before.

But would the electric ones be any good ?

https://www.levc.com/tx-electric-taxi/

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/23/first-100-electric-black-cab-for-120-years-launches-in-london

Jcb21 · 11-02-2021 11:41pm

My local taxi man has a leaf and he loves it. Says the savings on fuel are paying for the repayments on the car. He uses a fast charge during his break and says that normally lasts him the rest of his shift.

zg3409 · 28-07-2021 11:50am

Here is three new full electric taxis ready for road , fitted out today as taxis by

Robinson auto centre

The Three EV’s below are getting very popular

MG ZS

KIA NERO

VW ID4 PRO

We have systems in place with a quick turn around to safely fit out your fully electric TAXI

And keep you manufacture warranty intact.

If you have any query’s please cal 018571965

ted1 · 28-07-2021 1:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117672759#Comment_117672759

Looked up their Facebook page. Also have done a lovely looking white Enyaq , Zoe and a M3 along with several other ID4s

silver_sky · 28-07-2021 7:25pm

Delighted to see EV taxis getting more popular now. Grants are a big help but should have come on much earlier. The fact that taxis will be well able with EV should help to prove their worth to general public also.

Kramer · 29-07-2021 10:59pm

I've seen a blue Model 3 & 2 separate ID.4s, taxis, in the last few days, in Limerick. There are 2x dedicated DC chargers for them at the train station too.

About time too! BEV taxis in large urban centres are the textbook definition of a no-brainer.

unkel · 30-07-2021 12:11am

White Model 3 taxi often here around Lucan and also a couple of ID.4

Fair play to the owners, it's weird that not more of them have copped onto this. Even without the subsidies, full EVs are a no brainer in cities like Kramer said.

CoBo55 · 30-07-2021 7:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117680891#Comment_117680891

You'd want to be hauling in serious bobs for many years to justify a non granted EV.

unkel · 30-07-2021 8:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117681213#Comment_117681213

Not really. The fuel and maintenance savings are enormous if you do well above average annual mileage. And then there is the lack of down time because of ICE maintenance (time is money and the inconvenience of it). The depreciation on an EV is much lower too. And there's the convenience of not having to go out of your way and waste time by fueling up. When you can do it at home. The subsidy on top of all these benefits is like having your cake and eating it. Any EV taxi driver I have spoken to was a very happy man 😁

But yeah, I agree, it won't work if your EV taxi is just sitting on your drive apart from a Saturday night run and there either is not enough business because of COVID or you are too lazy to put in the hours.

CoBo55 · 05-08-2021 10:15am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117681353#Comment_117681353

Thank you vanilla.

How's Biko?

Logs back out...

zg3409 · 09-09-2021 12:55pm

Loans for EV Taxis

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2021/0908/1245515-microfinance-ireland-to-lend-to-electric-taxi-buyers/

the_amazing_raisin · 09-09-2021 1:03pm

Rates between 4.5% and 5.5%, not an expert on business loans but compared to some car finance that doesn't seem bad

There's a few Leaf taxis around me, plus at least 1 E-Niro and an ID.4

Great to see taxi drivers getting on board. I'd say that'll convince a lot of people to make the switch

Red Silurian · 09-09-2021 5:17pm

Seeing a lot of car sellers offering EVs purely for taxis... Is this legal? Should they not have the same offers for everybody?

The Black Oil · 09-09-2021 5:56pm

Saw a Zoe taxi earlier.

JohnC. · 09-09-2021 6:40pm

A neighbour who runs taxis recently got an eNiro. I've not had a chance to have a chat about how he's finding it, but it's certainly getting a lot of use. Don't see it home much.

Gumbo · 09-09-2021 11:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117869118#Comment_117869118

What’s illegal about it?

they are catering for a specific market.

anyway, just bought an eNiro yesterday for the father in law. This is the third eNiro I’ve pushed family members into in the taxi game in Dublin.

eNiros are becoming thin on the ground to the moment. There may be only a couple left in the country. Since 1st September, Kia have removed their free charger offer and also their dealer discount offer.

i got the first 2 for 36,188 and this one is coating 37,500 on the road. We then have to swap out the rear privacy glass to clear glass. This coats anywhere from 450-650 depending on who you get them off and currently there is a back log on the clear glass. Then pay about 370 for equipment swap over. Then pass the suitability test.

then the good bit. Scrap the old car for about 1300.

claim grant of 20000 means the brand new car is on the road for about 16,200.

Gumbo · 09-09-2021 11:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117869287#Comment_117869287

Zoe is the smallest EV that qualifies. I couldn’t imagine working one though.

ted1 · 10-09-2021 12:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117869118#Comment_117869118

Why?

they are selecting a target audience?

the government grants are different for taxis than non taxis.

the base price is the same

unkel · 10-09-2021 9:04am

Finally you did it Gumbo got the old man into a pure EV 😁

He will thank you for it, no doubt. If you're in the taxi game (in Dublin), it's a no brainer. Will save you a fortune in fuel and maintenance alone and thanks to the subsidy, the depreciation is only a fraction of an ICE. I take it a taxi driver gets the same discount on the toll as a private owner too?

Red Silurian · 10-09-2021 9:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117870546#Comment_117870546

So what you're saying is they give it to everybody for the same base price but specifically advertise the price it would cost for a taxi driver? That's fair enough then

Gumbo · 10-09-2021 10:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117871030#Comment_117871030

Finally :)

he’s been raving about the Prius the last 3 years and cost him less on petrol per week than his old 1.9 Tdi Octavia.

this will be his last car now. Brand new 212 Gravity Blue eNiro on the road for 17k. He had to jump. Be mad not to.

the toll thing I’ll look into when he collects the car. I’ll try get him set up on tolltag.ie same as me.

Gumbo · 10-09-2021 10:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117871159#Comment_117871159

yes, the same way the garages advertise the car prices with the SEAI grant already taken off.

you still have to go on and hand over 37k to the dealer.

slave1 · 11-09-2021 3:17pm

That's some discount, how long do they have to hold onto them before they can sell (used)?

Royale with Cheese · 11-09-2021 3:23pm

There was an electric Kia taxi ahead of me in Sandyford earlier who was pulling into the luas car park to use the DC charger there, he would have had to queue for it though as there was already an electric VW taxi using it. Looks like you're going to start to see a lot of taxis clogging up the DC chargers in Dublin.

MightyMunster · 11-09-2021 9:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117876705#Comment_117876705

How many km would a taxi do in a shift in Dublin? All these new cars should be able to do 300-400km of city driving easy enough. Would they do that much in a day?

ted1 · 11-09-2021 10:22pm

Doubt it, my average speed is about 38kmh. That’s driving around the suburbs with a bit of the M50 or M11.

so good for ten 8-11 hours driving

Busman Paddy Lasty · 11-09-2021 11:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117878564#Comment_117878564

Coule be new cars whose drivers don't have home charging yet.

Not sure how much they do per day but was queuing behind a taxi eNiro at a charger. Hasn't got home charge point installed yet and said once he has it in, there won't be any more public charging, just stuck for a few weeks.

10-10-20 · 11-09-2021 11:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117876705#Comment_117876705

I was in a ID4 taxi with the 55kW battery in Stillorgan recently. Very nice car, friendly driver too.

He plans on using the 50kW DC charging in Sandyford mid-shift as a top-up - I told him that it wont work like that when society returns to normal. He'll need a >150kW rapid charger at least, but no chance of one of those in Dublin in the near future.

Anyway, I had to laugh - VW dealer told him that a 55kW battery would cost €2,000 to replace. Maybe in 2035.

MightyMunster · 12-09-2021 9:03am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117878964#Comment_117878964

The current battery should last just fine until then anyway so shouldn't be a problem 🙂

Sheep Shagger · 12-09-2021 9:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117878964#Comment_117878964

Expensive way to charge if you were using public pay chargers often (daily).

Electric taxis

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